Yaxel Lendeborg Is 24, and His "Upside" Quote Just Blew Up the Warriors' Draft Plans

Alright, Emerald City, listen up! While we're all fired up for our Mariners at T-Mobile Park and the Seahawks gearing up for another season at Lumen Field, the NBA draft is just around the corner, and something wild is happening down south. The Golden State Warriors just brought in Yaxel Lendeborg, perhaps the most talked-about, divisive player in the 2026 draft class, for a workout. This dude was the Big Ten Player of the Year, the best on Michigan's national championship team, dropping 15.1 points, 6.8 boards, and 3.2 assists per game. He's got a pro-ready frame and can defend and rebound right now. Sounds like a no-brainer, right? Hold your horses, because this prospect comes with a curveball that’s got everyone talking.

The "Old" Guy With All the Tools

Lendeborg's resume is stacked, no doubt. He's got that deft touch from all three levels, a willing passer, and for a Warriors squad that went 37-45 last season and will be missing Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody for much of next season, he could play right away. Plus, Octagon, the agency that reps Steph Curry, also reps Lendeborg, so he knows what's possible with Curry on the floor. He even said, "He provides so much gravity on the court that it makes it super easy for other guys to score." So, what's the hang-up, you ask? Well, this Michigan star is going to be 24 years old by the start of training camp. Twenty-four! That's practically ancient when you're talking about a draft class usually filled with 19- and 20-year-olds. But Lendeborg? He totally scoffed at that idea, 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." That's a bold statement when GM Mike Dunleavy and Coach Steve Kerr are apparently planning for a post-Curry era, and scouting for that "glittering potential to be an All-Star" feels more important than a win-now role player.

Draymond Vibes and a Much-Needed Shooting Boost

Despite the age and the "upside" debate, there's a lot to love about Lendeborg's game. This guy is a versatile forward, standing 6-foot-9, and could even run smallball center for them. He was a passing hub for Michigan's high-powered offense, dishing out 3.2 assists per game. Sound familiar? He definitely sees the Draymond Green comparisons, who's expected to either pick up his player option or renegotiate a long-term deal. Lendeborg said, "I do see some similarities, and he's a win-it-all guy, and he's a connector for the squad. I feel like I have a lot of similarities... and if I play alongside him, I'll be doing a lot of learning." Oh, and remember that "pedestrian" 6.8 rebounds a night playing next to a 7-3 center? At Alabama-Birmingham, he led the American Athletic Conference in rebounds per game twice! Considering the Warriors were 21st in rebounding last season, he'd be an instant boost. And get this: he's a proven shooter, hitting 37.5% of his threes on 4.5 attempts per game, plus an 82.4% free throw percentage. That ability to let it fly would fit right into Golden State's offense, which led the league in 3-point attempts per game. As he put it, "I came a long way the last three years in terms of shooting the ball, and so hopefully I can keep improving."

The Draft Clock Is Ticking

Lendeborg wasn't the only one stopping by Chase Center. The Warriors also checked out projected second-round picks Kylan Boswell, a 21-year-old combo guard from Illinois, and Felix Okpara, a 22-year-old rim-running center out of Tennessee. Boswell mentioned similarities between Illinois' pass-and-cut system and the Warriors' style, saying, "of course, you know the greatest shooter of all time is on this team, so finding him will be pretty easy." Okpara, meanwhile, is all about defense, calling it his NBA calling card. The draft is on June 23, and the Warriors have a big decision to make. Do they go for the "win-now" 24-year-old with a pro-ready game and a chip on his shoulder about upside, or do they roll the dice on younger, riskier talent? It's a high-stakes game, and we'll be watching to see how it all shakes out for them.

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