Kenny Smith reveals 2 areas where Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg can improve

David Gonzales-Imagn ImagesKenny Smith reveals 2 areas where Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg can improve appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg has emerged as one of the NBA’s most impressive young players through the opening weeks of the 2026-27 season, but former NBA champion and analyst Kenny Smith believes the forward can improve in two areas of his game.As the Warriors (8-4) prepare for Friday night’s NBA Cup matchup against the San Antonio Spurs (10-2), Smith emphasized that Lendeborg needs to become more aggressive offensively while developing his passing ability.During Friday’s broadcast of ESPN’s “NBA Today,” Smith broke down Golden State’s 115-108 loss to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday and explained how playing alongside Stephen Curry creates opportunities for the rookie.Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)“The one thing is he gets to play one-on-one because no one is going to leave Stephen Curry ever to double him when he’s on the floor,” Smith said. “So now he gets to play one-on-one with size, his ability to handle the basketball but see in the future those will be double teams and he said he has to get more aggressive offensively. I think he’s gotta be a better passer during this time.”Smith continued analyzing Lendeborg’s offensive possessions, emphasizing that opposing defenses will eventually adjust to his scoring ability and begin sending additional defenders.“He said he has to get more aggressive offensively. I think he’s gotta be a better passer.”@TheJetOnTNT breaks down Yaxel Lendeborg’s play for the Warriors ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/PEMxtdsrGC— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 13, 2026The 24-year-old has already established himself as a significant contributor after Golden State selected him with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.Through 12 games, Lendeborg is averaging 21.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals while playing 32.2 minutes per contest.His production has also placed him in rare company among NBA rookies.Yaxel Lendeborg shines despite Warriors’ loss to RocketsAccording to ESPN, Lendeborg is just the fourth rookie over the last 40 years to average at least 20 points while shooting 50% from the field through his first 12 games, joining Zion Williamson, Shaquille O’Neal and David Robinson.Lendeborg continued his impressive start Wednesday, recording 25 points, 10 rebounds and two steals across 36 minutes against Houston.The rookie shot 9-for-19 from the field, including 2-for-7 from 3-point range, while converting five of his eight free throws. However, he finished without an assist in the loss.His performance came as Golden State’s eight-game winning streak ended against the Rockets, dropping the Warriors to 8-4 after their impressive turnaround from an 0-3 start.Golden State now faces another significant challenge following Curry’s right oblique tear, which is expected to sideline the superstar guard for at least two weeks.Curry’s absence could create additional offensive responsibilities for Lendeborg, particularly as the Warriors attempt to maintain their momentum without their franchise cornerstone.The Warriors will look to snap San Antonio’s 10-game winning streak Friday at 6:30 p.m. PT on Prime Video.Related: Warriors’ Jimmy Butler jokes about ‘fistfight’ with Mike Dunleavy over G League rehab desireRelated: How Warriors’ Yaxel Lendeborg is planning to ‘bait’ Victor Wembanyama in Spurs matchup