NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates
The Golden State Warriors are no longer in championship contention mode so the NBA draft is all the more important.
Golden State may not have drafted a franchise-changing player but it picked up a sleeper that can come in and immediately make an impact.
Advertisement
With the No. 11 pick in the first round the Warriors selected Yaxel Lendeborg. He’s an NBA-ready prospect who is coming off a national title at Michigan. Lendeborg was a splash selection who was the highest rated prospect on Golden State’s board.
Simply put, the Warriors got their guy.
2026 NBA Draft team grades Which front offices did the best in both rounds?
He’s not someone who commands the ball. He wasn’t that guy in college. He’s a stud. A ball player. He does whatever is needed for the team. He led Michigan in scoring with 15.1 points per game. He ranked second on the team with 6.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 blocks a game.
Advertisement
He is the prototypical player the Warriors needed. Lendeborg brings size, length and defensive range that allows him to guard multiple positions during on-ball defensive switch situations. He is a capable shooter who can’t be left alone off the ball. He shot 37% during the 2025-26 season at Michigan. He attacks the rim, where he is an efficient finisher through a combination of strength and touch.
Best of all, he’s not a ball stopper. The offense doesn’t get stagnant when the rock is swung his way. Lendeborg is seen as a connective player. He passes, he screens away and keeps the flow of the offense moving.
Golden State Warriors draft grade: B+
1 / 10
Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
NBA commissioner Adam Silver poses with 2026 draft prospects before the NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
1 / 10
Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
NBA commissioner Adam Silver poses with 2026 draft prospects before the NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
2 / 10
Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
NBA commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with AJ Dybantsa after h is drafted first overall by the Washington…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/warriors-draft-grade-golden-state-054315695.html
Author :
Publish date : 2026-06-25 05:43:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
