2026 NBA Draft: Warriors should pick Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg
The 2026 NBA Draft is in a couple of hours, and for the primary time since 2021 (after they used the No. 7 pick on Jonathan Kuminga and the No. 14 pick on Moses Moody), the Golden State Warriors have a lottery pick. The Dubs maintain the No. 7 total pick, and if you’d like cause for optimism, nicely… I’ve received you lined! I lately lined the recent history of the No. 11 pickand it consists of some incredible names, together with two-time reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Warriors franchise legend Klay Thompson.
Golden State may have loads of names to intriguing names to select from (our Ricko Mendoza lined the gamers being mocked to the Dubs here), and I’m right here to inform them to maintain it easy: draft Michigan ahead Yaxel Lendeborg.
As Ricko identified, Brayden Burries — a typical title mocked to the Warriors — could be an extremely intriguing match, because of his measurement, physicality, and mixture of protection and slick capturing. Should he make it to the Warriors (many mocks have him drafted within the high 10), you would not be capable of blame Mike Dunleavy Jr. for taking a swing. There are far worse approaches to take than grabbing a highly-ranked participant who falls.
But Lendeborg, who appears extraordinarily more likely to be out there at No. 11, simply makes an excessive amount of sense. As a five-year senior who will flip 24 earlier than Opening Night, he’s arguably essentially the most NBA-ready participant in your complete draft. Given Golden State’s open want to compete this yr behind Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and (half a season of) Jimmy Butler III, that NBA readiness makes all of the sense on the earth… it is the identical cause that the majority mock drafts have the Oklahoma City Thunder scooping up Lendeborg at No. 12 should the Warriors move on him.
And but, the versatile ahead is greater than only a high-floor, NBA-ready participant. He’s a real prospect, with a excessive ceiling and a few untapped potential. My colleague Ricky O’Donnell, who mocked Lendeborg to the Thunder, ranks him as the No. 5 prospect within the draft, whereas noting that he has the abilities and athleticism to play on the perimeter, regardless of having a 7’3.25 wingspan and the burden of a middle.
Lendeborg blossomed this season, his lone yr at Michigan, which resulted in each a championship and consensus first-team All-American honors. That trajectory would definitely counsel there’s much more left within the tank, and the Warriors can dream of Lendeborg being not only a contributor to a playoff run this yr, however an All-Star to construct round additional down the highway.
Beyond that, Lendeborg merely has the skillset that matches a staff coached by Steve Kerr. He’s a giant one who can shoot nicely from deep. He makes fast reads and operates with decisiveness. He’s gifted defensively, and may guard everybody from capturing guards to facilities. He’s aggressive and invitations contact, one thing the staff sorely lacks. He has the mindset to guide a unit and take over, and the selflessness to suit right into a smaller, extra thankless position.
Should Burries — or higher but, an much more highly-touted prospect — fall to the Dubs at No. 11, then they’re going to have a call to make. But there isn’t any must overcomplicate this one. Sometimes gamers simply make sense. And Lendeborg to the Warriors simply is smart.
