Warriors rookie sounds alarms with worrisome admission

The Golden State Warriors made a somewhat polarizing decision in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Needing someone who could contribute right away, they took 23-year-old rookie Yaxel Lendeborg with the No. 11 pick. So far, "the Dominican LeBron" has looked sharp in the NBA Summer League, but it looks like he's still grasping for air and is struggling to adapt to the NBA lifestyle.

Speaking to the media, the rookie from Michigan revealed that he's not in great shape and is scrambling to improve his habits.

Warriors' Yaxel Lendeborg says he has to get in shape 

“I’m trying to change my sleep. I’m trying to eat better. It’s not working, man,” Lendeborg admitted, per the San Francisco Standard. “Maybe I just took too long of a break, because I’ve never felt this winded in my life. I don’t know if it’s the strain of the scheduling here or just me being out of shape, but once I get back in shape, I know I’ll be good. But I'm trying everything.”

While the self-awareness and the accountability are great and speak volumes about his maturity, that's not necessarily what you want to hear from your first-round pick. That said, Lendeborg might also be holding himself to extremely high standards, as he's actually looked good on the court.

Through four games, the national champion has averaged 16.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.5 dimes per game, shooting 52.3 percent from the floor and nearly 62 percent from three-point territory.

Of course, the Summer League always has to be taken with a grain of salt, and he knows his body and what he's capable of better than anyone else. On the bright side, this is the worst he'll ever be, and the Warriors will most definitely help him get — and stay — in top shape.