Steve Kerr Explains Why Yaxel Lendeborg Could Start for Warriors

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr is not ruling out an immediate starting role for rookie Yaxel Lendeborg.

The Warriors selected Lendeborg with the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, adding a versatile 6-foot-9 forward to a roster beginning a transitional season. With Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody recovering from serious knee injuries, Golden State has a significant opening on the wing.

Kerr told ESPN’s Anthony Slater that Lendeborg’s size, positional versatility and potential development have placed him in the starting conversation.

“It’s such a position of need,” Kerr said. “Then his positional size alone. We’re in a position now where we can be thinking of development and not just for Yaxel, but for our whole group.”

Butler tore the ACL in his right knee in January, while Moody suffered a torn left patellar tendon in March. Their uncertain return timelines leave Golden State without two players who would ordinarily command significant minutes.

Lendeborg offers a different combination of size and skill than the Warriors’ other available wings. At 250 pounds, he can defend larger forwards, rebound and help initiate offense without requiring plays to be called for him.

His summer performance strengthened the argument for an early role.

Lendeborg earned NBA Summer League MVP honors after averaging 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.5 steals in six games. He also helped Golden State win the Summer League championship, recording 21 points and 10 rebounds in a 94-90 victory over Memphis in the title game.

Those performances do not guarantee immediate NBA success, but they demonstrated the versatility that attracted Golden State during the draft process.

Kerr also acknowledged that the Warriors are no longer operating like an established championship contender.

“We are not in the [championship] conversation,” Kerr said. “So let’s see what we can do as a group to kind of reestablish what we stand for and how we operate and new beginnings in a lot of ways.”

That assessment represents a notable change for a franchise that built its identity around pursuing championships with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson.

Curry and Green remain, with Green recently returning on a one-year deal, but Golden State must begin developing its next group. Giving Lendeborg meaningful minutes would allow the Warriors to evaluate whether he can become a long-term frontcourt piece.

Starting him would not necessarily mean placing a heavy scoring burden on the rookie. His responsibilities could center on defending, rebounding, moving the ball and creating additional possessions.

Lendeborg will still have to earn the job during training camp. However, the combination of Golden State’s injuries, its need for size and Kerr’s willingness to prioritize development gives him a legitimate chance to start from opening night.