‘Was his own worst enemy’- Steve Kerr explains why Yaxel Lendeborg fell in the NBA Draft

Steve Kerr has expressed his concerns about the NBA's draft process for older prospects, citing the case of Yaxel Lendeborg. The 24-year-old forward fell in the draft before ultimately joining the Golden State Warriors. Kerr believes that Lendeborg's age worked against him during the draft, despite his impressive combination of size and basketball skills.

At 6'10", 240 pounds, and capable of dribbling, passing, and shooting, Lendeborg should have been an attractive prospect for NBA teams. However, Kerr argues that the league penalizes players for being 23, suggesting that Lendeborg should have come out of college four years earlier to be a top pick. Instead, the Warriors ended up benefiting from the situation, acquiring a player with considerable potential.

Kerr has been comfortable giving Lendeborg opportunities early in his NBA career, noting that the forward has an innate feel for the game, which is particularly advanced for a rookie. The coach's trust in Lendeborg could prove crucial as he adapts to the NBA, especially with Jimmy Butler expected to miss an extended period due to injury.

With Lendeborg offering a different option at the forward position, the Warriors recognize that his skill set has the potential to make a difference. As the team prepares for the upcoming season, Kerr's faith in the rookie suggests that they are willing to give him the opportunity to prove that his age should never have been a factor in teams passing him over.