Dub Hub: Steve Kerr hints at more playing time for Moses Moody at power forward

Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Monday, January 20th.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Steve Kerrs says there’s a “good chance” Moses Moody gets more playing time at power forward, following the team’s 122-114 victory vs. the Wizards.
• Draymond Green ruled out for Monday’s game vs. the Celtics due to a calf injury.
• Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault clinches a spot as one of this year’s All-Star coaches following win vs. Nets.

The Golden State Warriors extended their win streak to two with a 122-114 victory over the Washington Wizards on Saturday night. While the win kept their momentum rolling, it did come at a cost as starting power forward Draymond Green exited early in the first quarter with a calf injury and did not return.

In an effort to replace him, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr turned to an unconventional option at power forward: fourth-year guard Moses Moody. Despite standing at just 6-foot-5, Moody embraced the challenge of playing out of position, delivering a solid performance in his minutes at the four. He scored 13 points on 2-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc while adding two rebounds, one block, and one steal.

Kerr has long been open to experimenting with smaller lineups, and Moody’s solid performance, along with Green’s expected absence, had Kerr hinting postgame that there’s a “good chance” of Moody seeing more time at power forward.

Moody has infamously struggled to secure consistent playing time throughout his Warriors’ tenure due to a logjam in front of him at the other wing positions. However, with Green’s injury creating a new opportunity, the “always ready” guard may finally carve out a more consistent role in the rotation.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Monday, January 20th:

Warriors News:

Moses Moody steps into power forward role for Warriors with Draymond Green out | The Athletic

Without Green and the injured Jonathan Kuminga in Minnesota, Moody played 25 minutes and even guarded Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle for stretches. Against the Wizards, he played 29 minutes and often found himself mixing it up in the interior.

“Moses seems to really thrive at the (power forward),” Steve Kerr said. “That’s his spot. He’s comfortable using his strength and the ability to stretch the floor.”

Moody’s 54 minutes are his most over a two-game stretch this season. In the immediate future, he seems likely to take over the starting power forward spot and has the clearest path he’s had to consistent playing time in his fourth season.

Warriors’ Draymond Green (calf) ruled out vs. Celtics on Monday | ESPN

Head coach Steve Kerr said Green was supposed to undergo an MRI on Sunday, and the Warriors are expected to give an update on his injury Monday.

The Warriors could be looking at some time without their defensive leader, who limped off the floor just three minutes into Saturday’s game with the calf injury and was ruled out shortly after that.

Why I believe Draymond truly is ‘sorry’ for Poole punch | NBC Sports Bay Area

“I love those guys over there,” Poole said after roasting his former team for 38 points. “I love most of those guys over there.”

After seeing Poole’s comments posted on the X account of ESPN/Andscape NBA reporter Marc J. Spears, Green acknowledged he was the exclusion and felt compelled to reply from his own account: “I really am sorry.”

For what it’s worth, I believe Draymond is being sincere – mostly for the three reasons outlined above. And because, as he has admitted, his attack on a teammate nine years younger, whose locker cubicle was strategically next to his own, amounts to leadership failure

How Warriors won the game vs. Wizards, but Poole won the night | NBC Sports Bay Area

“Gary be hackin’. But I’ve been going up against Gary my whole career, so I know how he plays, I know his tendencies,” Poole said. “It’s always good to bump with him. Really dope.

“It’s not my first time frying him. I usually did it in practice pretty often.”

In response to Poole’s hacking allegations, Payton said, “Yeah, I’m sure that’s what the rest of the league says too. It’s OK. They can’t call every foul, so if you don’t like it, don’t go and get the ball.”

Gary Payton II responds to why he untied Jordan Poole’s shoes at the free-throw line

NBA News:

Jimmy Butler returns, says of Heat drama: ‘We are where we are | ESPN

Sources have maintained that the Heat want to find a deal to accommodate Butler’s wishes. But the Heat seek a trade that brings back some combination of players who can help the Heat win now, draft capital, movable short-term salary and young talent.

To this point, however, that deal hasn’t materialized, and it is far from certain one will before the deadline.

Butler made it clear after Friday’s game that he has no issues with his teammates.

“It felt good to get out there and compete and actually run around with these guys,” Butler said. “As much as everybody may think, I don’t got a problem with these guys. These guys are cool. They’re my friends. … My beef is not with them and never will be. Never has been. But it did feel good to get out there and play some basketball.”

Cavaliers interested in Nets’ Cam Johnson to address perimeter struggles: Sources | The Athletic

Executives from three franchises told The Athletic that Cleveland has expressed interest in acquiring 6-foot-8 forward Cam Johnson from the Brooklyn Nets — one of the most coveted players league-wide in the trade market — with the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline fast approaching.

League sources with knowledge of Cleveland’s internal discussions say Johnson has been discussed as a potential target and say the franchise has done its due diligence in inquiring about the availability of Johnson. Rival team officials, however, believe the Cavs’ interest to be more serious than that.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault named one of the coaches for this year’s All-Star Game

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Draymond Green apologizes after Jordan Poole’s “love” comments

Poole said that he loved most of his former teammates, and it doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes to see why anybody in Dub Nation would immediately presume Green, the man who punched Poole in practice, wouldn’t be one of those in the “loved” category.

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