Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg believes he still has plenty of room to improve despite an encouraging showing during NBA Summer League.
Selected with the 11th overall pick in June’s draft, the former Michigan forward impressed across both the California Classic and Las Vegas Summer League, averaging 13.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.3 steals in six appearances.
However, speaking with Ron Kroichick of The San Francisco Chronicle, the 23-year-old admitted he wasn’t fully satisfied with his performances, giving himself only a “C-plus or B-minus.”
“I feel like I could have been a lot better, a lot more aggressive,” Lendeborg said. “But it’s a new system and new team, I don’t want to be overbearing and overplay my part.”
The player acknowledged that he needs to improve defensively and continue working on his conditioning before the start of his rookie campaign.
Despite his self-criticism, the versatile forward is expected to compete for a spot in Golden State’s regular rotation and could even challenge Gui Santos for a starting role while Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody recover from significant leg injuries.
The rookie is eager to make an immediate impact but says he isn’t focused on demanding playing time.
“I just want to be somebody who can provide an instant spark right away, and I feel like I’m capable of doing that, especially with the injuries,” Lendeborg said. “We have a lot of injuries at my position, so I feel like that really gives me the perfect opportunity to play right away, or just show the guys I’m going to help right away.
“I haven’t really spoken much to the Warriors about that – I don’t want to be demanding minutes and stuff. So hopefully they see I’m deserving of the chance, and I can make the most of it.”
Yaxel Lendeborg believes his play during Summer League has only been average. https://t.co/TajEcgK7vk
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) July 19, 2026
