Draymond Green is starting Saturday for the Golden State Warriors in their preseason game against the Sacramento Kings, according to CBS Sports. Head coach Steve Kerr named Green to the first unit two days after sitting him out of Wednesday’s exhibition game for maintenance reasons.
The Main Development
Kerr’s decision puts Green back in the starting group for the matchup against Sacramento. The move comes directly after a scheduled rest day, with Wednesday’s absence described as maintenance rather than an injury designation.
Green’s return to the lineup also shifted the second unit. Charles Bassey, who filled in during Green’s absence, moved back to a reserve role once Green was cleared to start.
What It Means
The sequence, rest on Wednesday followed by a starting nod on Saturday, lines up with typical preseason load management rather than a permanent change to Golden State’s rotation. Preseason starting assignments are often used to manage minutes and get players reps in game action, and nothing in Kerr’s announcement indicates a shift in how the Warriors plan to use Green once the regular season begins.
Bassey’s move back to the bench after Green’s return also points to a standard rotation swap. His second-unit placement during Green’s rest day functioned as a short-term fill-in rather than a depth chart change.
Context
Green has long served as a starter and defensive anchor for the Warriors when healthy, and Saturday’s assignment keeps him in that familiar role for the preseason matchup against the Kings. The maintenance day on Wednesday is consistent with how Golden State has managed veteran workloads in past exhibition slates, though no further detail on Green’s health status beyond the rest designation has been provided.
Green’s preseason workload comes as the Warriors continue to build their rotation around a roster that also includes Brandin Podziemski, who signed a five-year extension with the team. Golden State’s broader outlook for the 2026-27 season also hinges on the health of Stephen Curry, another veteran piece Kerr has had to manage carefully through the preseason schedule.
What’s Next
The Warriors face the Kings on Saturday, Oct. 10, with Green back in the starting lineup. No further preseason schedule details or updates on Green’s workload plan beyond this game have been reported.
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