Warriors Right to Make Yaxel Lendeborg Draft Pick Amid Trey Murphy III, NBA Trade Rumors

The Golden State Warriors selected Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg with the 11th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, a pick that sets them up for the future at a time when there are questions surrounding the long-term futures of Steph Curry and Draymond Green in the Bay Area.

The selection also came amid a report from Hoops Hype's Michael Scotto that the Warriors were "one of many interested suitors" for New Orleans' Trey Murphy III.

He added, "the two teams have discussed concepts involving the No. 11 pick." Obviously, a deal involving that selection did not come to fruition.

While Murphy III has been excellent for a bad Pelicans team, averaging just over 21 points in each of the last two seasons, while shooting 47-percent from the field, the Warriors did the right thing by holding onto the pick and selecting Lendeborg.

The 24-year-old is a mature athlete who played for one of the best programs in the country in Michigan. He averaged 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks.

He is a quality two-way player and has exhibited a knack for passing that helps set up scoring opportunities.

He has played plenty of competitive basketball, in big-game situations with the Wolverines, and should seamlessly fit into the Warriors scheme. His defensive abilities are a big plus and his ability to set up Curry and Green to score will benefit an aging offense.

Would Murphy have been an excellent addition to the team? Yes, and he still could be depending on whether the Warriors are willing to give up assets necessary to acquire him.

For a team facing real questions about its ability to field a contending squad well into the future, selecting a pro-ready player like Lendeborg was the correct step for the front office and team as a whole.