LAS VEGAS -- Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was noncommittal when asked whether rookie Yaxel Lendeborg has secured a starting spot for next week's regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, shortly before his team went on to beat the same Lakers 101-89 in a preseason contest at T-Mobile Arena. 

However, Kerr certainly insinuated that the 6-foot-9 big man out of Michigan is a lock in his lineup, be it at the three or the four — depending on which route the Warriors choose to go with their center. 

"I don't know that I would be doing my job as a coach of a rookie if I announced that to the media a week before the season starts," he said. "But it's looking that way, for sure." 

Most coaches hesitate to throw their rookies into the deep end right away. But Lendeborg isn't your typical freshman—in terms of age or size. 

Already 24 years old and built like a seasoned veteran (241 pounds), he brings vast college basketball experience and is coming off a national championship campaign last year. That alone sets him apart. What he's been doing in preseason only adds to it. 

Lendeborg co-led the Warriors in scoring with 17 points against the Lakers. 

He impressed all over the floor again, chipping in five rebounds, four assists, and two steals to his tally in 26 minutes. 

Over the last three games, he is averaging 19 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two stocks on 61 percent shooting—including 40 percent from beyond the arc. 

Lendeborg is making Kerr's decision easy. There is really nothing to consider. The Warriors have been needing an injection of young blood, a scoring punch, a spark plug in their frontcourt. They got it with the 11th overall pick of this year's Draft. 

The Warriors have struggled with injuries in recent years. Heading into this season, they're already missing three key rotation players: Jimmy Butler, Moses Moody, and Kristaps Porzingis. 

As a rookie, Lendeborg looks poised to provide availability, if nothing else. He is a physical specimen and appears durable. 

Lendeborg had an injury scare midway through the third quarter when he rolled his ankle while driving to the basket. He was fouled, made his free throws, then went to the locker room with the Golden State's medical staff. 

He returned to the game with 1:38 left to play in the frame and looked fine. He was moving well. Afterward, he said that the incident was "not as bad as it looked," but he will wait to see how it feels tomorrow. However, he was in good spirits and did not need to be held out for the remainder of the game as a precaution. That's a great sign. 

The Warriors have been needing that bit of steel. That grit. Someone Stephen Curry can always lean on, particularly on offense, to make winning plays. It's a lot of pressure to put on a rookie's shoulders, but Lendeborg seems ready to handle it.

And Kerr quickly realized what kind of player he was getting. 

"Watching Summer League (Lendeborg won MVP), meeting him, seeing how big he was; the skill aligned with the size," Kerr said. "We knew he was absolutely the perfect fit for our team. 

"We desperately needed size in the frontcourt, on the wing, and he provided that. As soon as you get a look at his skill set, it's obvious this guy is going to play a ton for us right away."