The Golden State Warriors had a decision to make at No. 11. They had phones buzzing with trade offers. They had a board full of intriguing prospects. And when the dust settled, they kept the pick and took a former Michigan Wolverine.
Yaxel Lendeborg is now a Warrior. The 6-foot-9 forward was the guy the front office landed on after the Milwaukee Bucks snatched up Arizona guard Brayden Burries one pick earlier.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Warriors were actively fielding offers while the clock ticked. The exact teams that called are unclear. But Golden State listened, talked it over, and ultimately decided to hold onto the pick rather than trade down or out.
How Golden State Got to Lendeborg
There were two names at the top of the Warriors’ board for a while. Insider Brett Siegel reported it was always going to be a two-man race between Burries and Lendeborg. Once the Bucks took Burries at No. 10, the pick basically made itself.
“It was always going to come down to Burries and Lendeborg for the Warriors,” Siegel said. “Once Burries was off the board, and a couple of markers likely thrown in the Warriors’ office, they land on Lendeborg after no real trades materialized for this pick, sources told ClutchPoints.”
So the trade talks fizzled. That happens sometimes. Teams make calls, kick tires, and then everyone just stays put. The Warriors get a big, versatile forward who can step into a rotation that still revolves around Stephen Curry.
What Lendeborg Brings to the Bay
Lendeborg played two seasons at Michigan after starting his college career at UAB. He’s not a polished shooter from deep, but he’s a monster on the glass and can defend multiple positions. At 21 years old, he has room to grow. The Warriors clearly think his physical tools fit their system.
ClutchPoints posted a quick reaction on social media: “LIGHTING UP THE BAY. The Golden State Warriors have selected Yaxel Lendeborg with the 11th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft!”
There’s a lot of work ahead for Lendeborg to carve out real minutes on a team that still wants to compete now. But the Warriors saw enough in him to pass on whatever trade offers came their way. That says something.
This is still a developing story. More details on the trade calls Golden State turned down could surface in the coming days. For now, the Warriors added a forward they clearly believe in.
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