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Analyst proposes major change to Steph Curry's role on Warriors

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 7/10/23

Recently, the Golden State Warriors acquired Chris Paul via a trade with the Washington Wizards. Adding another veteran guard who can provide both scoring and playmaking will only serve to improve Golden State's roster. However, Paul's addition has begun to raise questions regarding how Steve Kerr will manage the Warriors rotation next season.

According to Matt Steinmetz, who was speaking on 95.7 The Game, the Warriors should consider moving Steph Curry to the bench and allowing Paul to take over starting duties within Golden State's rotation.

"I'm sorry, Bay Area. You know what floated across my dome? What if the best thing for the team the best thing for the team that is awesome is Steph Curry coming off the bench," Steinmetz said. "He (Paul) would get Klay going right away. He would get Wiggins going right away. Then he plays six minutes."

Oh, Steinmetz pic.twitter.com/MW6CkeiYxQ
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) July 10, 2023

Curry is entering his age-35 season. Paul is entering his age-38 campaign. Swapping out the younger All-Star for the older All-Star makes little sense. Yes, Paul is a unique playmaker who elevates those around him. Yet, it's the Warriors' bench that needs Paul's magic. In recent years, the Warriors have struggled when Curry has gone to the bench due to a lack of playmaking in their second unit.

Paul was acquired to solve Golden State's second-unit playmaking struggles. However, the veteran guard recently revealed how he is yet to discuss his role for next season with Kerr.

There’s been no discussion between Chris Paul and Steve Kerr about Paul coming off the bench. “It’ll be a conversation when camp starts. Me and Steve have talked, but that ain’t something where it’s, ‘What up, man? You starting or coming off the bench.” pic.twitter.com/JYSO9hcHqE
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) July 10, 2023

“I don’t know what the situation is going to be yet; you know what I mean? So I think that’ll be for us to figure out once we get going,” Paul said during a media availability while attending Summer League. “It’ll be a conversation for us when camp starts or whatnot. But me and Steve have talked or whatnot, but that ain’t something that you’d be like, ‘what up, man Are you starting or you coming off the bench?’ You know what I mean? So I think we’ll figure all that stuff out in camp.”

There is no reason for Paul to be in Golden State's starting lineup next season - assuming everyone is healthy. Instead, the Warriors should explore utilizing Paul as their sixth man, as that's what will be most beneficial to the franchise challenging for yet another championship with their current core.

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