Warriors' youth movement is in full swing

The Golden State Warriors (3-1) are trusting their young players, a strategy that is paying off big in the new NBA season.

Through four games so far, Jonathan Kuminga, 23, is averaging 18.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists, while Brandin Podziemski, 22, is averaging 12.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists. More importantly, both are logging over 30 minutes a game — a sea change from last year when they were in and out of the starting unit. 

The third player in Golden State's young core, Moses Moody, 23, is also off to the races, averaging 13.5 points on 60% shooting from deep. 

Warriors have a blossoming Big 3

In Monday's 131-118 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, the trio tallied 68 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists, while shooting a combined 10 threes and going 12-of-15 from the free throw line.

While Kuminga has embraced his role of the slasher and cutter, Podz and Moody have been excellent at coming off screens and shooting. By thriving in their respective roles, they have absorbed a great deal of pressure from Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler III, the team's aging trio that is trying to survive the 82-game gauntlet.

Warriors balancing youth and experience

After Monday's win, Curry explained the importance of the Warriors trusting their young core to step up night in and night out.

"There's gonna be games where all the uncs are out and they need to step up," Curry said of the young trio, via ESPN's Anthony Slater.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who had a contentious relationship with Kuminga over the past few seasons, is impressed by the maturity the young forward has shown so far.

"The way he's rebounding, the way he's attacking the rim, that's what makes him special," Kerr said of Kuminga, via Slater. "When he's playing to that talent, to that ability, it changes our team."

In Curry, Green, Butler, Kuminga, Podziemski, Moody, Al Horford and Buddy Hield, the Warriors have unearthed a reliable eight-man rotation. They have the perfect mix of youth and experience to carry them through a long season, a luxury they didn't necessarily have last year, when Kerr was hesitant to give his youngsters consistent playing time.

If Kerr continues to trust his young guns, watch out. This team may have the necessary pieces to help Curry win his fifth title.