The 2025-26 NBA season has officially concluded, and the Golden State Warriors are already looking to plan for the NBA Draft. The team suffered several roster issues last season, and the front office will aim to plug those loopholes before the next season. The most glaring of all: an efficient wing.
However, the team management and the scouts have found a solution to that issue, Yaxel Lendeborg. The American-Dominican forward, who played for the Michigan Wolverines, averaged 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in his last NCAA season. He shot 37.2% from deep, which shows his ability to play like a plug-and-play two-way wing.
As per ESPN, the Warriors summoned the forward, showcasing their interest in acquiring the 23-year-old if he remains to be picked at the 11th spot. Even though the team has multiple options in this year’s stacked draft class, an efficient defensive wing might be all they need. After he worked out with the Warriors and impressed the team management, a team source said:
After the Warriors traded Jonathan Kuminga during the midseason trade period, the franchise was in dire need of a perimeter shooter who could help space the offense with Steph Curry. The franchise brought in Kristaps Porziņģis for that, but he did not have a similar offensive production.
Given the lack of size in the Warriors squad, Porziņģis’ duties have primarily been to contribute on both ends, scoring and the glass. This means a backup wing who can shoot the ball and get to the rim would allow the 7-foot-2 forward to play his natural game.
Warriors’ pre- and post-game NBC host, Bonta Hill, also gave his stamp of approval to Yaxel Lendeborg’s place on the roster, but he did not expect the 6-foot-7 forward to be available in the 11th place. Featuring on 95.7 The Game, Hill said:
“HE (Yaxel) played through his ankle injury when his parents and agents said, ‘Hey, don’t play in the championship,’ he said, ‘No, I am playing.’ He’s a prototype wing; you look at OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges… Thinking about it from the Warriors’ perspective, yes, Yaxel’ll be a dream come true. I just don’t know if he’s gonna last till 11.”
“HE (Yaxel) played through his ankle injury when his parents and agents said, ‘Hey, don’t play in the championship,’ he said, ‘No, I am playing.’ He’s a prototype wing; you look at OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges… Thinking about it from the Warriors’ perspective, yes, Yaxel’ll be a dream come true. I just don’t know if he’s gonna last till 11.”
Other panelists also stated that Lendeborg might not be available for the Warriors to pick, given the hype around his name. Hill also opined that he would be a “great fit” with Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio, as they suffered in the NBA Finals due to a lack of better wings.
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