Yaxel Lendeborg's 24 Years Are The NBA's Most Divisive Question, And Nobody Knows What To Do With It

Alright, Seattle, listen up, because the NBA Draft is shaping up to be WILD, and there's one name making serious waves even though he's already getting up there in years. Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg, fresh off being the Big Ten Player of the Year and leading his Wolverines to a national championship, just worked out for the Warriors. This dude is hands down the most polarizing player in the entire 2026 draft class, and his age is the reason everyone is freaking out. He’s putting up legit numbers, but teams are looking at his birth certificate and wondering if he’s got enough left in the tank to be a superstar.

The "Old Man" With Young Man Game

Lendeborg’s college resume? Straight fire. He put up 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. This guy has a deft touch from all three levels, is a willing passer, and already looks like he has a pro-ready frame. Plus, he can defend and rebound at a professional level right now. For a team like the Warriors, who went 37-45 last season and will be without Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody for much of next year, Lendeborg could literally play immediately. He’s even repped by Octagon, the same agency that has Steph Curry as its top client, so he knows the potential playing alongside a legend. He even said Curry "provides so much gravity on the court that it makes it super easy for other guys to score." So, what's the hang-up? This dude will be 24 years old by the time training camp kicks off. Twenty-four! That's practically ancient compared to the 19 and 20-year-olds dominating the lottery picks. Critics are saying his "upside" isn't there, that he projects as a great role player, not a focal point. But Lendeborg isn't having any of that noise. He scoffed, saying, "I really don’t like the word ‘upside.’ But if we want to use that word, I think I have the same amount as anybody else here." He doesn't see himself as a limited player, even if GMs are already planning for a post-Curry era.

Is This The Draymond Green 2.0 You've Been Waiting For?

Despite the age talk, there's a lot to love about Lendeborg's game. He’s a versatile forward who could even slide into smallball center. He was a passing hub for Michigan, averaging 3.2 assists, and sees similarities to a certain Warriors veteran. "I do see some similarities, and he’s a win-it-all guy, and he’s a connector for the squad," Lendeborg said of Draymond Green. "I feel like I have a lot of similarities … and if I play alongside him, I’ll be doing a lot of learning." The Warriors were 21st in rebounding last season, so his 6.8 boards per game (and previous history leading the American Athletic Conference in rebounding twice at Alabama-Birmingham) would be a much-needed boost. But wait, there's more! Lendeborg is a proven shooter, hitting 37.5 percent from three on 4.5 attempts per game, and his 82.4 percent free throw percentage as a senior screams good mechanics. That kind of shooting would fit right into Golden State's offense, which led the league in three-point attempts. He's clearly put in the work, noting, "I came a long way the last three years in terms of shooting the ball, and so hopefully I can keep improving." The Warriors also brought in other guys like 21-year-old combo guard Kylan Boswell and 22-year-old rim-running center Felix Okpara, but Lendeborg remains the guy drawing all the conversation. So, as June 23rd approaches, the biggest question facing teams at pick No. 11 isn't about skill, it's about age. Does a national champion with immediate impact potential outweigh the desire for a younger, raw talent with more "upside"? This choice could define a team's next few years, and we'll all be watching to see if Lendeborg’s ready-made game convinces someone to take the plunge.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.