Golden State Warriors Have a Young Star

Yaxel Lendeborg could be great because he’s one of the most complete players from his draft class. The Golden State Warriors took the 23-year-old with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and the 6-foot-9 forward out of Michigan is expected to make an immediate impact. He’s the kind of guy who fits on any team because he gives you on and off-ball scoring, impactful defense, playmaking and a high feel for the game. He also knows how to win. He averaged 15.1 points and 6.8 rebounds in 40 games during Michigan’s 2025-26 championship season, and then he went right to Las Vegas and kept it going. He was named Summer League MVP, an award voted on by all 30 NBA teams, after helping the Warriors win the summer title. When a player keeps winning at every level, that usually isn’t an accident.

He also landed in a perfect spot to show what he can do. Golden State has an aging core built around Steph Curry and Draymond Green, so a 23-year-old rookie with his mix of youth and experience might be exactly what they need. He’ll get his chances too, since Steve Kerr reportedly told him he might start this season. Lendeborg is confident in himself, and he’s said 15 points, six rebounds and three to four assists a game is his bare minimum for his rookie year. At the same time, he keeps a level head, saying he wants to slow the game down and be a role model kids look up to. That mix of confidence, maturity and all-around skill is why Lendeborg has a real shot at becoming a great player for the Warriors.