Curry will play when healthy

If Stephen Curry is healthy, Steve Kerr is going to play him.

That’s what the Warriors’ coach made clear while addressing reporters after practice on Wednesday. Kerr will not hold Curry out if he’s ready to make a return.

“No. He’s perfectly healthy. He’s in the prime of his career. If the point is because he might get hurt, then what’s the point of playing anybody?” he said. “I guess the argument is we’re not making the playoffs. So, are we not trying to entertain our fans?

“To me, it’s never been a question. As soon as he’s ready, he’s coming back. Our fans deserve it. We need it as a team to springboard into next year, and it’s the right thing to do.”

The Warriors haven’t just missed Curry. They’ve also missed Klay Thompson, who has yet to play after tearing his ACL in Game 6 of last year’s NBA Finals. As a result, Golden State has trotted out a roster featuring many unrecognizable names, and they own the worst record in the NBA, currently tying two other teams for the best odds at landing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

The Warriors don’t need to tank. They may be better off trading their first-round pick. They could attach that pick to Andrew Wiggins if the Warriors aren’t sold on his fit alongside their three stars.

That’s the main reason why the Warriors should bring Curry and Thompson back at the end of this season. Yes, Warriors fans deserve an exciting product on the floor, but a championship run next season will make this year’s struggles an afterthought.

Kerr needs to see Wiggins in action alongside his two star guards. It will help Warriors brass make a decision as to whether he’s a long-term piece to a championship puzzle, or a piece they can use in a deal for a difference-maker.

After all, that’s what the Warriors did with D’Angelo Russell, though Kerr admitted the fit was questionable before Russell ever played a game. Wiggins, though, is naturally a better fit at the three, where Russell is a combo guard in the back court.