In a move that’s sending shockwaves through the NBA, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has finally locked in his starting lineup for the foreseeable future. On Tuesday, Kerr announced that Stephen Curry, Moses Moody, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and Quinten Post will be the go-to five, putting an end to the carousel of rotations that has plagued the team early in the season. This isn’t just a tweak—it’s a declaration of war on the rest of the league. The Warriors have found their ultimate form, and rivals better buckle up because Golden State is about to dominate.
This fivesome made its debut start against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, marking a fresh chapter for a team that’s cycled through a staggering 15 different lineups in just 27 games. The constant shuffling was a necessity amid injuries and inconsistencies, but Kerr’s decision signals a shift toward stability. “We’ve been searching for continuity,” Kerr implied in his announcement, and this group is poised to deliver it in spades.
But how has this lineup actually performed? Sure, the sample size is small—only 35 possessions so far—but the early signs are a mixed bag that screams potential. According to Cleaning the Glass, they’ve posted a minus-24.0 net rating, with offense humming at the 62nd percentile while defense lags at a shocking 0 percentile. Against Portland, they dropped the opening five minutes 20-14 but bounced back to win the first four minutes of the third quarter 14-9. It’s raw, it’s unpolished, but the upside is massive.
For context, swapping in Jonathan Kuminga for Moody flips the script entirely: that version boasts a plus-14.9 net rating over 94 possessions. So why stick with Moody? Kuminga’s recent slump—going 8-of-32 from the floor over three games—has earned him DNPs (Did Not Plays), and Kerr is betting on Moody’s resurgence to carry the day. It’s a bold call, but one that could pay dividends.
Diving into the strengths, this lineup maximizes spacing like no other. Moody and Post rank among the team’s top shooters behind Curry, creating wide-open lanes for Butler and Green to operate. Add in the size factor—this is as big as the Warriors get, which should supercharge their rebounding. Green and Butler have often been miscast positionally (Green at center, Butler at power forward), but in this setup, they slide into their natural roles for those crucial opening minutes of quarters. The result? A theoretically unbreakable front that combines shooting, defense, and physicality.
Of course, no lineup is perfect, and this one’s Achilles’ heel has been turnovers—a whopping 22.9 percent rate so far. Draymond Green shouldered the blame after Portland, where five of his eight turnovers occurred with this group on the floor, leading to nine easy points for the Blazers. “Just making bad reads, bad decisions,” Green admitted postgame. “Be more decisive. Take better care of it. Too f–king old to be doing that.” If Green cleans up his act—and history says he will—this unit could evolve from shaky to unstoppable.
Speaking of breakouts, Moses Moody is emerging from a rough patch just in time. From November 18 to December 2, he struggled at 31.8 percent from the floor and 25 percent from three over seven games. But in the five since? A sizzling 50 percent overall and 39.1 percent from deep. Moody’s plus-9.4 net rating ranks third on the team, and with five of the Warriors’ six positive-net players now starting, the chemistry is aligning perfectly.
The NBA is officially on notice. This isn’t just another experiment; it’s the Warriors’ final form unleashed. With Curry’s wizardry, Butler’s grit, Green’s leadership, Moody’s shooting, and Post’s upside, Golden State has assembled a lineup that blends veteran savvy with youthful energy. The league is stunned, and for good reason—continuity like this could propel the Dubs back to championship contention. Watch out, world: the Warriors are locked, loaded, and ready to conquer.