NBA Rumors: Warriors Eyed 1st 30 Games to 'Solidify' Starting Lineup, Rotation

The Golden State Warriors planned to give head coach Steve Kerr a third of the 2024-25 season to settle on a starting lineup, according to ESPN's Kendra Andrews.

"The Warriors wanted to use the first 30 games to help coach Steve Kerr to solidify his starting lineup and rotation, a source told ESPN," Andrews wrote.

Kerr opened the season with a 12-man rotation and has since led the Warriors to a 10-3 start.

That record means "there doesn't seem to be too much pressure to cut people out" of the rotation, per Andrews.

"As it stands, no player has a problem with this," Andrews wrote.

Draymond Green, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Andrew Wiggins and Steph Curry have formed the core of the starting lineup over the first 13 games. De'Anthony Melton, who is currently sidelined with an ACL sprain, is likely to slot in when healthy.

Melton, who missed five games with a back sprain earlier this season, has been sidelined with the ACL injury since a Nov. 12 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

Kerr said after the team's announcement of Melton's latest injury that the guard's absence was "disappointing," because the Warriors lineup with him was "really the perfect mix."

In two starts prior to his ACL injury, Melton had looked like a good fit alongside Curry in the Warriors backcourt as he averaged 16.5 points on 47.8 percent shooting while contributing seven rebounds per game.

"De'Anthony does a little bit of everything: on-ball defense, rebounding, 3-point shooting, playmaking... He's obviously a really important player for us and the guy who we envisioned and has done a good job as a starting two guard, so it's a concern for sure," Kerr said (h/t CBS Sports' James Herbert.)

Lindy Waters III has received two starts since Melton's injury, while Gary Payton II and Moses Moody have slotted in his spot during his absence earlier this season.

With the Warriors yet to announce a recovery timeline for Melton, Kerr is set to continue tinkering with his starting rotation as the season continues.

Should Melton return to the fold soon, however, it looks like the Warriors might have solidified their starting lineup earlier than the franchise had originally expected in Kerr's first time in four seasons setting lineups without Klay Thompson.

The Warriors will look to bounce back from Monday night's loss to the Los Angeles Clippers during a Wednesday home game against the Atlanta Hawks. Tip-off is at 10 p.m. ET.