The NBA Preseason is a weird time. It’s where the super fans distance themselves from the casuals, chasing games on random networks just to watch games that won’t count officially. But it’s also the place where we get an up-close look at the machinations of a roster that is very much in flux.
With a few players locked into starting roles, the Golden State Warriors entered this preseason knowing they had some decisions to make as far as who else slots into the puzzle - either as a starter or whatever, or not. And sure, those players fighting for 10-day contract or G-League invites are going to continue battling, but it’s rare to have 2-3 open slots in your starting lineup; which makes for an intriguing couple of weeks.
GAME DETAILS
WHO: Golden State Warriors (2-2) at Los Angeles Lakers (2-1)
WHEN: Tuesday, October 13th, 2026; 7pm PDT
WATCH: NBA TV1
Unicorns galore
Starting with the more hypothetical, Kristaps Porziņģis is making his first appearance at work, but the ongoing availability and performance level questions are still ringing loudly in the air.
Even now, the Warriors and coach Steve Kerr are wrestling with the possibilities. Porziņģis’ status is far from certain, both in the immediate term, as well as longer timeframes. The Warriors aren’t even pretending they know what’s going on with their biggest off-season acquisition:
"No, all that will be determined once we get him back here and have discussions and figure out where he is, all that stuff."
All that stuff? Whew. That’s doing a lot of work in that sentence.
I don’t know how closely you’ve been following the saga, but Golden State has been going on a perpetual roster swing that could arguably go all the way back to Andre Iguodala.2 Regardless, it’s good to note that Porziņģis will be reporting to camp - fixing a troubling gap where the Warriors were saying stuff like the absence was indeterminate and that they hadn’t heard from the player that they just committed a two-year, $40 million contract extension to.
But unicorns have a way of running into reality.
Whether or not Porziņģis is available was a secondary tier of consideration, the Warriors are chasing an end state. When the big man can’t go, it causes ripples of decisions down the roster, as valuable as Horford is, he comes with an inherent need for a backup that can eat minutes.
If Draymond Green is already the preferred default?
Availability is a concern, especially once the codependancies start to stack up. With Al Horford as the default starter, andPorziņģis already showing some signs of not being fully deployable, the Warriors are likely entering the season under some sort of contingency planning.
According to reporting, the roster is moving on, with the predictable embrace of small ball though, the Warriors are immediately drawing attention to using Draymond Green at the center position. This is a structural concern, as Green ages and the league continues to get younger and faster, the viability of Draymond at the center position fades.
Kerr is leaning toward a starting five of Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, Yaxel Lendeborg and Draymond Green for the Warriors' season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Gui Santos isn't just another piece in the small-ball equation; he's another potential unicorn in a roster already counting on Porziņģis3 to be one.
Santos is another kind of unicorn, and one that is more acceptable (and perhaps cost effective) to chase. Santos can fill multiple roles, has the ability to fill multiple roles and cover multiple positions, but is being counted on to show up as competing a little bit more this season.
The appeal of a player like Santos is the possibility that he can fill multiple roles without forcing the Warriors to sacrifice the versatility Kerr wants. Putting him in this lineup would be another bet on unconventional pieces fitting together in ways that a more traditional roster might not allow. The catch, of course, is that potential only matters if it translates into dependable minutes, and the Warriors already have at least one pretty significant question mark in that department.
But the preseason is a preamble. The story is about to open here.
Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, Yaxel Lendeborg and Draymond Green
I’ve seen a lot worse opening rosters. But from the perspective of a preseason that’s built around assessing what’s possible as a holding patter. there’s still some incredibly impactful outcomes coming out of these remaining preseason minutes.
Do you know the Last Unicorn?
It’s funny to think about these final years of Steph Curry and Draymond Green. Those guys, to me, are some of the most unicorn-like players I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching. There’s something cool about watching the Warriors chase another bit of magic, whether through the so-called unicorn in Porziņģis or a guy like Santos, who could just maybe yet become an important piece of the franchise’s future.
It’s late, and it’s the preseason. But what if some of these players turn out to be just the right sort of wrinkle to help push these old men toward one more serious playoff run? Maybe they do, maybe they don’t.
I’m here for the story as much as the outcome at this point.
I’m having a hard time with broadcast details this preseason. Direct TV and YouTube TV both show up sometimes? Please let me know any tips for broadcast schedule in these preseason games!
Allow the lack of roster deep dive in this preseason preview. But I would humbly note that this is the Kuminga-two-timeline epic coming to a close with Porziņģis as a use-it-or-lose-it roster choice. It’s simply too much of an aside to include here.
I have no idea. Auto-suggested with the accents. I accepted it, but am not going to change all previous mentions. AI overlords, go easy on me! [edit: fine, I changed them all]
I think you meant to edit out a paragraph or two in the middle there. Or are your sentences playing multiple roles?