Jimmy Butler might have a future in coaching once his playing career comes to an end. But if you ask Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, the six-time All-Star still has a few things to work on.
During Monday night’s 138-87 demolition of the New Orleans Pelicans, Butler decided to entertain himself by joining Steve Kerr’s coaching staff. At least unofficially.
Still sidelined while recovering from ACL surgery, Butler arrived on the Warriors’ bench wearing the same sweater as Golden State’s coaches, carrying a clipboard and enthusiastically offering instructions throughout the evening.
His tactical philosophy was refreshingly straightforward. Written across his clipboard were three words: “PASS TO STEPH.”
Jimmy Butler III is wearing the same outfit as the @warriors coaches with his own clipboard 🤣📋 https://t.co/1FQn6XU9rz
— NBA (@NBA) November 10, 2026
Jimmy Butler wrote “PASS TO STEPH” on the coach’s clipboard 😭 https://t.co/jGzfTase3K
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) November 10, 2026
Considering Stephen Curry finished with 25 points and the Warriors secured their eighth consecutive victory, the strategy was apparently quite effective.
However, Lendeborg wasn’t entirely convinced by his veteran teammate’s performance. Speaking to reporters afterward, the outspoken rookie joked about Butler’s unusual appearance and admitted that he initially didn’t even recognize what was happening.
“I didn’t learn anything… I learned once you’re on the court with Steph, give Steph the ball.”
Q: “What did you learn most from “Coach” Jimmy?”
YAXEL: “I didn’t learn anything… I learned once you’re on the court with Steph, give Steph the ball.” 😂 https://t.co/ZbWE0x55wP
— NBA (@NBA) November 10, 2026
During the first timeout, Lendeborg had approached associate head coach Frank Vogel to ask a question when he noticed Butler sitting among the coaches in matching attire. He immediately wanted to know what his teammate was wearing.
Even more amusingly, Lendeborg admitted that he hadn’t previously realized Golden State’s coaches regularly dressed alike, despite spending every day around them. But the rookie’s biggest complaint wasn’t Butler’s outfit or his questionable tactical creativity.
It was his failure to deliver on a promise.
“He said he was going to get a tech for us tonight. He didn’t, so … shame on him,” Lendeborg joked.
Apparently, Butler had promised to earn a technical foul during his coaching debut, only to finish the evening without attracting any disciplinary attention from the officials. For someone with Butler’s famously competitive personality, that might actually qualify as a disappointing performance.
Head coach Steve Kerr also thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle. Kerr revealed that he had independently suggested Butler should dress like a coach shortly before the game, only for the injured veteran to emerge wearing the exact outfit he had imagined.
The Warriors coach praised Butler’s commitment to the role but jokingly admitted that he eventually realized the veteran was making fun of the entire coaching staff.
Despite the playful criticism, Lendeborg has repeatedly expressed his appreciation for Butler’s guidance. The 24-year-old rookie has benefited from the veteran’s advice throughout his impressive start to the season, particularly when it comes to creating scoring opportunities and learning the subtleties of attacking defenders.
“Well, for me especially, he always just gives me like, little tips and tricks on the court, just whether it’s me trying to score, me getting a position to score, or just like, overall physicality. It’s something that I’ve been able to learn from and implement it into my game as quickly as possible. So, I mean, all that means a lot to me. And just overall for the team, he’s always bringing high energy, making somebody laugh on the bench. Again, just giving advice to somebody, ‘cause he’s been doing it at a high level for many, many years. So, it’s obviously a guy that you want to listen to and know that it comes from a good place, even if it’s like, a joke or not. But he means business when he says what he says, regardless of how it’s said. So, I mean, it’s great to have that kind of presence on the bench.”
Yaxel Lendeborg on Jimmy Butler uplifting the team with his presence and how much it has helped even though he hasn’t been able to play yet:
“Well, for me especially, he always just gives me like, little tips and tricks on the court, just whether it’s me trying to score, me getting a position to score, or just like, overall physicality. It’s something that I’ve been able to learn from and implement it into my game as quickly as possible. So, I mean, all that means a lot to me. And just overall for the team, he’s always bringing high energy, making somebody laugh on the bench. Again, just giving advice to somebody, ‘cause he’s been doing it at a high level for many, many years. So, it’s obviously a guy that you want to listen to and know that it comes from a good place, even if it’s like, a joke or not. But he means business when he says what he says, regardless of how it’s said. So, I mean, it’s great to have that kind of presence on the bench.”
— aly ✶ (@jinthirty) November 10, 2026
But Monday was clearly more about entertainment than serious basketball instruction. Golden State hardly needed much tactical assistance, shooting nearly 55 percent from the field and connecting on 21 three-pointers while recording its largest home victory in 35 years. Lendeborg contributed another excellent performance with 23 points and seven rebounds, shooting 8-of-10 from the field.
For the Warriors, the evening highlighted something beyond their remarkable turnaround after an 0-3 start: the team appears to be enjoying itself.
Even with Butler unable to contribute on the court, his personality remains an important part of the locker room.
And Lendeborg, who has quickly established himself as one of the NBA’s most entertaining young personalities, certainly isn’t afraid to return the jokes.
Eight consecutive victories, a 51-point blowout and Jimmy Butler making his coaching debut. The Warriors are having fun again, even if Yaxel Lendeborg thinks their newest assistant coach still has room for improvement.
