Cole wanted Kuminga to be a substitute in the second game, and Dream Chaser volunteered to defend Jokic&&; to ensure that Kuminga would start.

November 21st Yesterday, Warriors reporter Anthony Slater wrote an article analyzing the subtle relationship between Kuminga and the Warriors in the new season.

Before this season's game against the Denver Nuggets (the Warriors' second game of the new season), Cole called Dream Green and told him that his instinct was to let Post start against Jokic. He hoped to reduce the time that Dream had to face the opponent's tough guys at the beginning of the season.

"Chasing the dream, this is the center issue we discussed," Kerr recalled telling Green.

"Then who will be replaced in the starting lineup?" Zhui Meng asked.

"Probably Kuminga," Cole answered.

"Let me play center," Chai Meng said. "I hope Kuminga can keep the momentum."

Kuminga played 36 minutes in the overtime victory over the Nuggets. The Warriors ended up with a big-man lineup of Curry, Butler, Kuminga, Dream and Horford—a combination that wasn't even used in practice. Kuminga defends Jamal Murray in the final seconds. This was his second game in 11 consecutive games with at least five rebounds.

"He has done everything we asked," Zhui Meng said. "When someone does everything you ask of them, the reward cannot be to lose their starting position."

In the following days, Cole publicly stated that he would keep Kuminga as the fourth starter no matter who the opponent was. This sends a signal to Kuminga that he is gaining the nightly trust and consistent role he craves.

"It means a lot to Kuminga," Kerr admitted during shootaround in Milwaukee before the team's sixth game.