How Yaxel Lendeborg Is Already Reshaping the Warriors as a Rookie

Going into the 2026-2027 regular season, the Golden State Warriors did not have high expectations to make a deep playoff run. Over the past few seasons, they have had depth issues, and star player Steph Curry has become less durable. 

The team knew they would be without Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody to start the season, as they were coming back from season-ending injuries they suffered last year, and they truly had their backs against the wall. 

In this year’s draft, they selected one of the most pro-ready prospects this group had to offer. Golden State selected former Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg with the 11th overall pick, and he has led the way for them since then.  

He has had games where he’s looked dominant for the Warriors and has been the best athlete on the floor at times. His best game up to this point was against the Los Angeles Clippers, where he scored 37 points in a convincing win. 

ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania recently went on The Pat McAfee Show to talk about the emergence of Lendeborg and how he’s changed the entire outlook of the season for the Warriors. 

“He’s playing like an all-star already right off the bat, and there hasn’t been an all-star as a rookie since Blake Griffin,” Shams said. “I don’t think anyone could have expected this.”

What people did know about Yaxel Lendeborg heading into his rookie season was the fact that he wouldn’t take long to adjust to the physicality of the NBA. 

At Michigan, Lendeborg played with a high motor and physical play style. He’s also an older rookie at 24 years old, making him a developed player coming into the league. 

Still, nobody believed that he could be the true number one option for the Warriors, especially this early into the season. Even with all the injuries this team has had, he’s been able to keep them afloat. 

What really helps Yaxel Lendeborg play at a high level is his confidence. Since the first game of the season against the Lakers, when he was jawing back and forth with Luka Doncic, it was clear that he is someone who believes he can go against the best players and hold his own. 

That kind of confidence has been something the Warriors have been looking for from a young player for several seasons, and it could grow as the year progresses. It will be interesting to see what this team looks like when fully healthy and how far they can go if they make it to the postseason.