Warriors earn outstanding grade for Yaxel Lendeborg selection following Brayden Burries miss

Entering the 2026 NBA Draft, there were a few different realistic approaches the Golden State Warriors were rumored to explore with their No. 11 overall pick.

If the seven-time NBA champions wanted to give Stephen Curry another dynamic backcourt running mate, they could have drafted former Arizona standout guard Brayden Burries.

If the Dubs were interested in adding a versatile forward or center, they could turn their attention to former Michigan teammates Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara.

With the Milwaukee Bucks selecting Burries with the No. 10 overall pick, Golden State quickly pivoted to Lendeborg, and Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor believes the franchise made the right move on Tuesday night.

“Golden State has been desperately searching for a young star to extend Curry’s championship window, and bridge into whatever comes next,” O’Connor wrote. “It will be harder to do that here after not getting lucky in the lottery. But maybe the Warriors will find a star: Lendeborg has a compelling story. Poor grades kept him off his high school varsity team.”

“He went to a JUCO. Then UAB. Then he entered the draft, went through the combine, pulled his name back, and came back for one more year at Michigan and won a national championship. He just kept getting better every single time the competition got harder. He fills the stat sheet, he can play multiple positions, and he has a 7-foot-4 wingspan at 240 pounds with a genuine handle.”

“He’ll be 24 as a rookie, but that aspect could be appealing to Steve Kerr, who re-signed for a two-year deal. Yaxel comes in ready. Whether his story ends with NBA stardom is still up for debate.”

Lendeborg’s senior season at Michigan was one for the ages, as he was the driving force behind a dominant Wolverines squad that finished the year with a near-unblemished 37-3 record and NCAA title.

The consensus first-team All-American demonstrated his captivating half-court playmaking, fluid transition finishing, promising catch-and-shoot production, high-level rebounding, and advantageous defensive switchability all year long.

Lendeborg averaged 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and 1.1 steals in 40 contests, shooting 51.5% from the field and 37.2% from deep. The Warriors should expect to receive the best of both worlds with Lendeborg in the Bay.

The Big Ten Player of the Year’s advanced age/maturity for a rookie are likely to make him an instant-impact contributor. At the same time, his unlimited potential has a good chance of helping him solidify himself as a valuable long-term piece.