Story perspectives

Warriors select No. 11 Yaxel Lendeborg, $28M deal

6/24/2026

Summary

Warriors Draft Lendeborg

The Golden State Warriors selected Yaxel Lendeborg No. 11 overall in the June 23, 2026 NBA draft.
Lendeborg, a 6-foot-9 forward, averaged 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists for Michigan while shooting 51.5%.
He earned Big Ten Player of the Year, won the NCAA title and was an AAC Defensive Player of the Year.
Lendeborg, whose 7-foot-3-inch wingspan impressed Mike Dunleavy Jr., signed a $28.1 million rookie deal to learn from Stephen Curry.

Summary

Warriors Reject Trades

The Warriors rejected every trade offer for veteran forward Trey Murphy III before the draft.
NBA insider Jake Fischer said several teams offered the No. 11 pick, but none convinced Golden State to trade it.
GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. noted that selecting Jordan Lendeborg adds flexibility for upcoming free-agency moves.
A video showed owner Joe Lacob and GM Dunleavy arguing in the draft room, while Lendeborg will wear No. 1, a jersey once worn by Jonathan Kuminga, Stephen Jackson and JaVale McGee.

History

Historical Context

On June 17 2002 the Golden State Warriors used the third overall pick in the NBA draft to select Mike Dunleavy Jr., a move that kept a top prospect within the franchise. Dunleavy later rose through scouting ranks and was named the Warriors’ general manager on June 16 2023. The team’s current refusal to trade its No. 11 pick mirrors that long-standing preference for developing home-grown talent.

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Warriors Draft Lendeborg

The Golden State Warriors selected Yaxel Lendeborg No. 11 overall in the June 23, 2026 NBA draft.
Lendeborg, a 6-foot-9 forward, averaged 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists for Michigan while shooting 51.5%.
He earned Big Ten Player of the Year, won the NCAA title and was an AAC Defensive Player of the Year.
Lendeborg, whose 7-foot-3-inch wingspan impressed Mike Dunleavy Jr., signed a $28.1 million rookie deal to learn from Stephen Curry.

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