Kerr cites off-ball defense as hurdle for rookie Lendeborg

No. 11 overall pick admits help assignments are confusing.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 49m1 min read

Yaxel Lendeborg’s offense is ahead of his defense Steve Kerr: “Biggest thing I see he needs work with is being in a sta Via @anthonyVslater on X

What happened: Head coach Steve Kerr identified off-ball defensive awareness as the primary area for improvement for rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. Kerr noted the forward tends to break his stance when away from the action. Lendeborg acknowledged the learning curve, admitting that NBA help-side rules have been confusing him early in camp.

Why it matters: Golden State is counting on immediate production from Lendeborg as they integrate the No. 11 overall pick into a veteran core. Defensive lapses could complicate his path to consistent playing time, especially in a system that relies on precise off-ball switching and spatial awareness.

By the numbers: Lendeborg posted 17 points in his first Bay Area preseason game and previously shot 5-of-8 from the field for 13 points, highlighting the offensive readiness Kerr referenced.

What to watch: The rookie will have additional opportunities to refine his defensive reads as Golden State continues its preseason slate.

Sources

@anthonyVslater 2026-10-08T16:46:43.387483+00:00

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