Lendeborg's Warriors Tryout
Polarizing Draft Prospect Yaxel Lendeborg Works Out for Warriors, Offers Immediate Team Impact
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Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg worked out privately at Chase Center on June 11, completing an individual workout and front-office interview with the Golden State Warriors Hoops Rumors. The 23-year-old — who will turn 24 in September — is the Big Ten Player of the Year and the best player on Michigan's 2026 national championship team, and he is now one of the most talked-about prospects in the Warriors' draft range.
Lendeborg put up 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game for the Wolverines this season Press Democrat. His age makes him a polarizing figure for scouts. But for a Warriors team trying to win now around Stephen Curry, he may be exactly the right fit.
From JUCO Grind to National Champion at Michigan
Lendeborg did not take a traditional path to the NBA. He struggled academically in high school and did not play high-level basketball until late. He ground through the junior college ranks at Arizona Western before transferring to UAB Mercury News. This past season, he transferred again to Michigan under coach Dusty May — and the Wolverines won it all.
In the national title game on April 6, Lendeborg recorded a double-double as Michigan beat UConn 69-63 at Lucas Oil Stadium Sports Illustrated. He was named a Consensus First-Team All-American and led the Wolverines to a 19-1 conference record. His stats at Michigan — 51.5% shooting from the field, 37.4% from three, and 82.8% from the free-throw line — show a polished, complete player NBADraft.net.
A 7-Foot-4 Wingspan Raises Eyebrows at the Combine
At the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago in May, Lendeborg measured 6'9" barefoot and weighed 241 pounds. His wingspan came in at an enormous 7'4" No Ceilings. Scouts immediately flagged his physical profile as elite. He averaged 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game at Michigan, and ranked in the 98th percentile in personal foul efficiency.
Draft analysts at NBADraft.net compare his game to OG Anunoby and Aaron Gordon. They point to his 73% finishing rate at the rim and a 3.3-to-1.1 assist-to-turnover ratio as signs of a high-IQ player who does not need the ball to make an impact. Steve Kerr has said whoever the Warriors pick at No. 11 will have a "real opportunity to earn playing time" from Day 1 East Bay Times.
The Age Debate: Bug or Feature for Golden State?
The biggest knock on Lendeborg is his age. He will be 24 at the start of training camp. Traditional scouts argue that older rookies carry a lower ceiling and mixed long-term return on investment East Bay Times. Critics note that history is spotty for lottery picks over 23, and that Lendeborg does not project as a future All-Star.
But Warriors insiders see it differently. ESPN's Anthony Slater reported the workout is "high priority" and that Lendeborg has "several fans" in the Golden State front office. GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. is under pressure to avoid another project pick after James Wiseman. A ready-made wing on a rookie-scale deal — likely $4.5 to $5 million — is more valuable to the Warriors than a 19-year-old who needs years to develop Hoops Rumors.
Octagon Ties to Curry and a Potential Bidding War
One quiet factor working in Lendeborg's favor: he is represented by Octagon, the same agency that manages Stephen Curry Press Democrat. League insiders view the shared representation as a potential bridge for locker-room chemistry and organizational familiarity. It is a soft edge, but one that matters when a front office is deciding between players with similar grades.
The Warriors may not have the luxury of waiting. The Detroit Pistons are reportedly considering trading up to the No. 10 or No. 11 pick to keep the Michigan star in-state Sports Illustrated. That threat of a bidding war could force Golden State's hand. Some analysts, including Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area, have floated the idea that the Warriors could also use Lendeborg's demand to trade down and collect extra first-round picks instead.
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