Coach Steve Kerr is known for his ability to manage egos, and he might have a challenge ahead with Chris Paul. Paul, who has started every game in his 18-year career, would be better suited to come off the bench for the Golden State Warriors.
When asked about the possibility of being a reserve player for Golden State, Paul responded with a quip, showing resistance to the idea. However, at 38 years old, worrying about starter status should be in the past. Carmelo Anthony had a similar struggle before accepting his bench role with the Portland Trail Blazers in his later career.
Paul has a lot to offer the Warriors. He can provide excellent orchestration for the second unit, something the team has been lacking. He can also play alongside Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, two of the best off-ball movers and shooters in history.
However, playing a small lineup with Paul would mean benching Kevon Looney and moving Draymond Green to center. While this lineup could work well as a closing lineup, playing at a size disadvantage for extended periods can be challenging. One solution could be starting Paul for a short stint and then substituting him out early, allowing him to come back during the non-Curry minutes. This approach would require Kerr to navigate Paul’s ego and convince him to embrace the bench role, similar to what he did with Andre Iguodala in the past.
Paul may not have the same impact as Iguodala did in 2014, but he can still contribute to the Warriors’ second-unit stability. The question is whether he is willing to put his ego aside for the team’s greater good. Sacrifice is often necessary for success at the highest level, and Paul could be the player to make that sacrifice for the Warriors.
It remains to be seen how Kerr will handle the situation, but starting Paul at the beginning of the season and gradually easing him into a bench role could be a strategy to ease the transition.
