Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga starts strong in a crossroads season

Jonathan Kuminga was "an assassin from three-point range"

One concern the Warriors had in playing Kuminga in lineups with Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green was the lack of outside shooting. Kuminga shot only 30.5 percent from three-point range last season, which creates a lack of spacing with Butler (27.9 percent) and Green (32.5 percent).

That wasn't an issue on Tuesday. Kuminga went 4-of-6 behind the arc, and all those attempts were good shots. He's learned that the Warriors offense requires him to shoot when he's open or things bog down. Kuminga also nailed another three with the shot clock running down, making it very difficult for a Lakers defense that was paying a lot of attention to Steph Curry (23 points) and Butler (31 points).

It's no coincidence that the Warriors took control of the game in the third quarter when Kuminga exploded for 13 points and three triples.

Jonathan Kuminga's "little things" impressed his coach

Kerr might be most thrilled that Kuminga grabbed nine rebounds in 33 minutes, after Kuminga's lack of rebounding has been an issue in his first four seasons. His biggest board was his last one, when he snagged an offensive rebound to keep a possession alive and set up a Curry three from the logo.

Not only did he rebound, but Kuminga dished out six assists. And they were high-efficiency assists, with two dimes turning into three-pointers and two others going for layups or alley-oop dunks.

When Kuminga signed a two-year contract with a team option this summer, it felt inevitable that the Warriors would trade their young forward during the season. After one game, Kuminga looks like he might become too valuable to trade.