Warriors keep draft pick, select Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg at No. 11
SFGATE • • sports
Key Points:
- The Golden State Warriors selected Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg with the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, choosing to keep the lottery pick rather than trade it as previously speculated.
- Lendeborg, a 6-foot-9 forward and national champion, averaged 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists last season, bringing a versatile skill set and NBA readiness at age 23.
- Despite being one of the older prospects in the draft, Lendeborg is praised for his character and fit with the Warriors, though his biggest limitation is lacking a star mentality, focusing more on making the right play than taking over games.
- The Warriors' decision to draft Lendeborg addresses the need for frontcourt depth as their core ages, with Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green all in their mid-to-late 30s.
- Uncertainty remains about why a trade did not materialize, possibly due to other teams offering better deals or the desired player being unavailable when Golden State was on the clock.
