Steve Kerr identifies off-ball defense as focus for Yaxel Lendeborg

The rookie admits help assignments are currently confusing.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 47m1 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 noted that rookie Yaxel Lendeborg needs to improve his defensive stance when playing off the ball. Lendeborg agreed with the assessment, stating that deciding when to provide help defense has been a point of confusion for him.

Why it matters: The defensive learning curve is a notable factor as the Golden State rotation takes shape for the upcoming 2026-27 season. Kerr has previously indicated the No. 11 pick earned an immediate role, making his defensive adjustments critical to staying on the floor.

By the numbers: Lendeborg recently recorded 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting and nine rebounds in a preseason appearance.

What to watch: Monitor Lendeborg's defensive positioning and decision-making in the team's remaining preseason contests.

Sources

@anthonyVslater 2026-10-10T22:25:33.628890+00:00

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