Both Wiggins and Saric being on the floor for tipoff comes as a major surprise. The former has been a shell of himself all season, ranking among the most inefficient and all-around damaging players in basketball, while the latter’s insertion as part of a two-big starting lineup doesn’t exactly align with the Bulls playing four perimeter players—with DeMar DeRozan at de facto power forward—next to center Nikola Vucevic.

It’s not like Kuminga’s recent play has been the source of Golden State’s struggles, either. He averaged 14.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists on impressive 62.1% true shooting as a starter over the last 14 games, the Warriors faring better with Kuminga on the floor as opposed to the bench. Shifting the third-year forward back to a reserve role so soon after his camp went public over Kuminga’s frustration with Kerr risks that apparently squashed dynamic resurfacing as the February 8th trade deadline fast approaches, too.

Unsurprisingly, Dub Nation wasn’t exactly thrilled to learn that Kuminga wasn’t starting in the Windy City, some going so far as to assume it means his days with the Warriors are officially numbered. Others suggested, sarcastically and otherwise, Golden State was starting Wiggins to increase his trade value. Most had derision for Kerr regardless.

The Warriors haven’t been able to find a working starting lineup and nightly rotation all season long. Green’s multiple suspensions have obviously contributed to their lack of on-court continuity and chemistry, as have a rash of injuries to key contributors currently afflicting Moses Moody, Chris Paul and Gary Payton II.