Written By Mauricio Segura // Image Created By: Golden Bay Times Graphics Dept.
OCT 20, 2026
The Golden State Warriors have spent years searching for the right pieces to complement Stephen Curry, and their latest discovery might be a 6-foot-9 rookie who has yet to play a regular-season NBA game. Yaxel Lendeborg was supposed to be an exciting addition to a roster searching for answers. Instead, the former Michigan standout has spent the preseason giving Golden State something it desperately needs: a reason to believe its future might be brighter than expected.
For general manager Mike Dunleavy, the surprise isn't simply that Lendeborg can score. It's how naturally the 2026 draft's 11th overall selection understands basketball beyond putting the ball through the hoop.
Speaking with Tim Kawakami on "The TK Show," Dunleavy acknowledged that the rookie has performed better than the organization anticipated in several areas. His ability to handle the basketball, recognize opportunities, and distribute passes has particularly impressed the Warriors' front office.
Those qualities might not dominate highlight reels, but they are extremely valuable in Steve Kerr's offense, where constant movement and quick decisions can turn an ordinary possession into an open shot.
Golden State has spent much of the Curry era operating with players who understand that basketball is not necessarily about who scores, but who creates the opportunity. Andre Iguodala helped establish that philosophy, while Andrew Wiggins eventually became an important contributor during the Warriors' 2022 championship run.
Dunleavy believes Lendeborg possesses qualities reminiscent of those versatile forwards, particularly the combination of perimeter size, passing ability, and shooting.
That is considerable praise for someone still learning where to park at the practice facility.
Lendeborg's preseason numbers have provided plenty of encouragement. He scored at least 17 points in all but one of his appearances, including a 23-point performance in just 24 minutes against the Sacramento Kings. His offensive production has been impressive enough to put him in contention for a starting assignment when Golden State begins its regular season Wednesday against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kerr has acknowledged that he is leaning toward placing Lendeborg in the starting lineup. If that happens, the rookie would become Golden State's first first-year player to start a season opener since James Wiseman in 2020.
The opportunity, however, comes with considerable responsibility.
Injuries and health concerns have complicated Golden State's preparations. Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody are unavailable, while Kristaps Porziņģis continues dealing with health issues. Those absences have created additional playing opportunities for Lendeborg, accelerating a developmental process that might otherwise have unfolded more gradually.
Rather than treating him exclusively as a developing prospect, the Warriors are already examining how much responsibility he can handle.
And Dunleavy has entertained an especially interesting possibility.
Could Lendeborg eventually play center?
At first glance, assigning a rookie forward to battle NBA big men might seem like an ambitious experiment. Yet Golden State has never been particularly devoted to traditional positional boundaries. Draymond Green has spent years defending larger opponents, while the Warriors' offensive system frequently sends big men away from the basket.
Dunleavy believes Lendeborg has enough versatility to play virtually anywhere on the floor. His rebounding, length, and basketball instincts make the idea intriguing, particularly when paired with Green.
The concern is defense.
Protecting the basket requires more than height and athleticism. NBA centers must recognize developing plays, anticipate rotations, and respond immediately when opponents attack the paint. Those responsibilities become considerably more demanding against professional players who can exploit even a momentary mistake.
Lendeborg has already encountered those difficulties during preseason competition. Kerr has identified defensive positioning as an area requiring improvement, particularly when the rookie becomes too upright while guarding opponents.
Those shortcomings are hardly unusual for a first-year player, but they illustrate why encouraging exhibition performances should not be confused with proven NBA success.
Golden State also wants Lendeborg to recognize when passing isn't the best option. Following a quiet scoring performance in his preseason debut, Curry, Green, and Kerr encouraged him to become more aggressive offensively. Finding the proper balance between creating opportunities for teammates and attacking the basket will be part of his education.
For the Warriors, that learning process carries implications beyond one promising rookie.
Curry remains the franchise's centerpiece, but Golden State cannot expect its veteran stars to carry every responsibility indefinitely. The organization needs younger contributors capable of producing immediately while developing into dependable players for the coming seasons.
Lendeborg has not established himself as the next Warriors star, nor has he demonstrated what he can accomplish across an 82-game NBA schedule. Those questions remain unanswered.
What he has accomplished is convincing Golden State's leadership that the team may have discovered more than another promising draft selection.
The Warriors have spent years trying to find the right player to connect their experienced championship core with a new generation. If Lendeborg's preseason performance translates into regular-season success, the answer might already be wearing a Golden State uniform.
