Yaxel Lendeborg Talks Early Discussions With Steve Kerr About Warriors Role in Video After NBA Draft

Yaxel Lendeborg detailed his early conversations with Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr regarding his role on the team after he was selected with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft.

"Basically just being about expectations, what he expects out of me," Lendeborg told reporters. "He doesn't normally play rookies as much. He has a history of that. But the way the team is looking right now, I'm going to have a really good chance to play, maybe even start. So, just having that hope definitely gives me extra motivation to go out there and be one of the new guys that actually does that, actually comes in and builds reputation right away."

While Lendeborg was the oldest player selected in the first round of the 2026 draft at 23 years old, his experience and all-around impact should make it easy for him to carve out a role on a Warriors squad looking to go on a deep playoff run led by Stephen Curry.

Mike Dunleavy, Golden State's general manager, praised Lendeborg's versatility after he was selected.

"He can play everything," Dunleavy said, per Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area. "Potentially he can guard one to five. Offensively, I think he's a forward that can play some small-ball center. And just the way he handles the ball, there's some backcourt ball-handler responsibilities he can take care of. This is the intrigue with this pick for us is the versatility."

The Warriors' wing depth is thin, as Jimmy Butler is recovering from a torn ACL while Moses Moody is working his way back from a torn patellar tendon in his left knee.

Assuming Butler and Moody won't be available to begin the 2026-27 season, Lendeborg could earn a spot in Golden State's starting lineup if he's able to stand out in training camp as well as the preseason.

He's coming off a stellar 2025-26 campaign at Michigan, averaging 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 51.5 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from behind the arc.

Lendeborg earned Big Ten Player of the Year honors for his efforts, helping the Wolverines compile a 37-3 record as they captured their second national championship in school history.