Throughout the 2024-25 NBA season, Warriors veteran Draymond Green has done everything he can to help young forward Jonathan Kuminga develop into a star – even if it means playing a position he loves hates.

Green, who is primarily a power forward, is poised to log more minutes than usual at center this year as Kuminga works his way to more playing time on coach Steve Kerr’s roster. Despite not being ideal for Green, he reluctantly accepts the assignment because he knows it’s good for Golden State.

“We have to do what we have to do to win games, whatever that looks like,” Green told reporters Saturday after the Warriors’ 109-105 victory over the Phoenix Suns. “As for me at the start of the season, I have to be honest – I didn’t want to play too much 5, and it worked.

“But (if) it doesn’t work, you have to look at what works. And if that’s me at 5, like I said, I don’t love it for entire games at this point. But I love winning, and even more. The important thing is that I hate losing. So if that’s what it looks like then we’ve got to win games, or I told the guys we’re all coming out of here so we’d better win some games.”

Draymond Green knows he’ll probably have to play more center than he’d like to fit Jonathan Kuminga into more lineups.

“I’ll be honest, I didn’t want to play too many fives. It’s hard… I don’t love it for entire games right now. But I love winning.” pic.twitter.com/jC4DJcZ2rK

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) December 29, 2024

One night after Kuminga scored a career-high 34 points in the Warriors’ loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, he reached that mark against the Suns, helping Golden State snap a three-game losing streak. Green at the 5 allows Kuminga to play more freely as a power forward, and the 22-year-old can certainly take advantage of all the freedom he can get as Golden State waits for his transformation into a true difference-maker.

It’s clear that Green is willing to do whatever it takes.

This isn’t the first time the vet has put aside his feelings to allow Kuminga to thrive. Before Kerr decided that Kuminga might be better suited to his usual bench role — he came out with the Warriors’ second unit on both Friday and Saturday — Green accepted a demotion of his own earlier this month to allow his younger teammate to play in the starting lineup could do five.

“Of course I agree with it,” Green said at the time. “I have been one of JK’s biggest fans since he came here. If he has the opportunity to start, you must not be hypocritical. … I’m a fan of his, I want him to do well. If his chance goes through me, it is what it is. This is his chance and he deserves this chance.”

Kuminga’s time now appears to have come, whether he comes off the bench or in the starting lineup. Whatever the case, Green has his back – and if necessary, the 5 is there to help him.

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