​LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 15: (Editors Note: Tonal effects have been applied to this image) Yaxel Lendeborg #1 of the Golden State Warriors poses for a portrait during the 2026 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at UNLV on July 15, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) GettyPHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 17: Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 17, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) GettySAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 28: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball during media day at Chase Center on September 28, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) GettyRookie Yaxel Lendeborg made his NBA preseason debut for the Golden State Warriors on October 4, 2026, starting at small forward against the Los Angeles Clippers.Lendeborg, the 11th pick of the 2026 NBA Draft, started alongside veterans like Stephen Curry and Draymond Green and put up four points, nine rebounds, three assists, and one block in 19 minutes.Steve Kerr’s Honest Assessment on Yaxel Lendeborg’s NBA DebutGettyPHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 17: Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 17, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
With one game under his belt, Lendeborg got some honest assessment from Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who called him out after the game. “Yaxel was good,” Kerr said. “[But] we need him to be more aggressive.”Steve Kerr assess Yaxel Lendeborg’s preseason debut: “We need him to be more aggressive.” pic.twitter.com/ojmJVOkB0a— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) October 5, 2026Kerr then pointed out a specific play that irked him during the game, which the Warriors lost by three, 104-101.“To really keep play in the second half, early in the second half, where he has the ball right underneath the basket and he turns it over, trying to throw it to Charles [Bassey]. They hit a three at the other end, that’s gotta be a layup,” Kerr said.The play happened right at the start of the second half, which resulted in an open triple from Clippers rookie Keaton Wagler in the transition offense. When the Warriors drafted the 24-year-old forward out of Michigan, he was seen as a ready-to-contribute asset capable of providing immediate help to veterans like Curry and Green. Kerr also