The Warriors selected former Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg with the 11th overall pick in June’s draft. The 23-year-old displayed his versatility during both the California Classic and Las Vegas Summer Leagues, averaging 13.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.3 steals in 25.8 minutes per game across six appearances.
Lendeborg told Ron Kroichick of The San Francisco Chronicle he’d grade his summer performance as a C-plus or B-minus, suggesting he struggled defensively at times and that he needs to get in better shape ahead of his rookie season.
“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.”
As Kroichick writes, Lendeborg appears ready to play an immediate rotation role and could be competing with Gui Santos for a spot in the starting lineup while Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody recover from major leg injuries.
“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.”
Here’s more from Golden State’s lottery pick: