With their first lottery pick in five years, the Warriors needed someone NBA-ready with the 11th pick in the 2026 draft. 

They selected Yaxel Lendeborg, a 6-foot-9 wing who turns 24 shortly before training camp begins in September. 

Lendeborg is considered a jack of all trades. He’s a versatile shooter. He’s a skilled playmaker. He’s a strong defender. He has a high basketball IQ. 

And most importantly, he’s a player who should be able to contribute immediately on a roster led by the 38-year-old Steph Curry, 36-year-old Jimmy Butler and 36-year-old Draymond Green. 

Grade: A-

This was a great pick for the Warriors, who are in win-now mode trying to extend Curry’s championship window. 

Lendeborg, who graduated from Michigan, was an NCAA champion, a first-team All-American and the Big Ten Player of the Year in 2026. 

He knows how to win, which is the No. 1 skill the Warriors needed from a top pick in one of the deepest drafts in recent memory. 

The Warriors are looking to breathe new life into what coach Steve Kerr has referred to as a fading dynasty. The Warriors won four championships in eight years from 2015-2022 before missing the playoffs two of the last three seasons. 

Lendeborg has the maturity and skills to make an immediate contribution. He’s not a developmental pick. He’s the type of guy who could play playoff minutes during his rookie season. 

The combo wing decided to bypass last year’s draft, where he was projected to be selected as a late first round or early second round pick. 

Instead, he chose to bet on himself and improve his skills at Michigan, where he averaged 15.1 points on 52% shooting 6.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals a game for the Wolverines last season. 

Lendeborg should become a rotational player on the Warriors. He’ll infuse an older team with some young legs. He’s the ultimate triple-threat who can shoot, pass, rebound — and play defense. He’s widely lauded for being able to guard any position, something Green has made a Hall-of-Fame career out of doing. 

He’ll give them a secondary playmaker. He’ll give Green support on the less glamorous side of the court. He’s not afraid to crash the boards. He’s willing to do anything to help his teams win. He’ll make the Warriors deeper on both ends of the court.

That’s the exact type of player the Warriors need, especially after their last lottery pick, Jonathan Kuminga (No. 7 in 2021), had trouble fitting into Kerr’s system because he viewed himself as a star while the Warriors needed him to plug into a role. 

The Warriors shouldn’t have that issue with Lendeborg, who should be able to do whatever Golden State needs. 

As for Lendeborg, this was a dream come true. His face was streaked with tears after NBA commissioner Adam Silver called his name Tuesday. 

He sat next to this mother, Yissel Raposo, who was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 appendix cancer. They shared a long hug as they cried.

“She was saying, ‘We did it.'” he said on the ABC/ESPN broadcast. “All of the sacrifices that we’ve made, we finally accomplished it.”

The concerns:

The fact that Lendeborg will soon be turning 24 raised some eyebrows as teams typically covet young players who have the potential to turn into superstars. 

But Lendeborg made consistent leaps every year in college and is expected to keep growing. 

And with the Warriors’ current goals, picking a great player who was the leading scorer on a team that won a national title and is able to contribute now is more important than gambling on potential. 

Lendeborg was a smart move for the Warriors. He’ll be able to fit in wherever the Warriors need him. He’ll be able to make an impact now.