The Warriors have drafted Yaxel Lendeborg with the 11th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The 23-year-old, turning 24 in September, is not like the other conventional rookies that have joined the Warriors in the past.
He has played three years of NCAA basketball, where he also won a national championship with the Michigan Wolverines. He averaged 15.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists for his college career, where he shot 51.7% from the field and 36.4% from behind the three-point line.
With his 7’1 wingspan and 6’9 height, the forward is a high-impact player who could bring just the type of energy that the Warriors need in their starting lineup.
The 23-year-old rookie discussed with the media about his initial conversations with head coach Steve Kerr, where he candidly also spoke of his infamous history of not playing rookies and young players.
“Basically, it’s been about expectations, what he expects out of me. He doesn’t normally play rookies as much. He has a history of that. But the way the team is looking right now, I’m going to have a really good chance to play, maybe even start.”
“So just having that kind of hope definitely gives me extra motivation to survive that. Being one of the new guys obviously does that; it comes in and builds your reputation,” said Lendeborg.
“I know last year they were struggling with ball handlers, so I guess I’ll just be that, like a secondary ball handler. I would love to be the guy they trust to guard the best players on their team. I’m a 3-and-D kind of player, but a secondary playmaker as well.”
“So I feel like with different lineups I’ll have different roles, so I’m willing to step into any role they need,” Lendeborg further added.
“I know he’s a Hall of Fame coach; he’s played under a Hall of Fame coach as well. You learn so much when you play with one of the greatest players of all time as well. He knows so much about the game, so I feel like the impression you want to leave on him is that you’re someone willing to learn and can absorb his core values and playing style.”
“So, I mean, just do the best I can to get under his good side as easily or as quickly as possible, to see if I get some extra playing time from it. But what I’m most excited about is to work with a guy that seems to care more about you as a person than just your basketball skills, so it feels great to me playing for him,” Lendeborg also said.
Players like Jordan Poole, Jonathan Kuminga, James Wiseman, and, to some extent, even Brandin Podziemski, have been the subject of Kerr’s lack of trust in young players in just the recent past. DeMarcus Cousins also called out Steve Kerr for not having a system where young players can develop without the constant pressure of championship contention.
Yet, Lendeborg believes he can break the trend and become the first high-impact rookie on this team who fully earns Kerr’s trust. A bold target to set for yourself, I believe. Do you think Lendeborg can eventually be a starter this season? Let us know what you think in the comments section.
