There are big things seemingly coming for Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, and this season will be a pivotal one as he’s projected to make a sizable impact. Few young players receive such high praise from such high places, but Lendeborg appears to have caught on in San Francisco already.
When asked about the former Michigan Wolverines standout in an interview with Taylor Rooks on Wednesday, Warriors veteran Draymond Green had extremely high praise for the 2026 first-round pick.
“Here’s what I will say. … The Golden State Warriors have found the next face of the franchise,” Green said.
“We’re gonna talk Rookie of the Year next. That’s my pick. … We had open practice; we do the singing. This dude went up in the crowd, and the fans loved it. They were going crazy. … We’re all underneath the rim in the paint, and Steve (Kerr)’s going crazy. Like, ‘come on, guys,’ and he’s in the tunnel signing autographs, and Steve has to go get him. … I told him last night, I said, ‘Hey, everybody’s gonna be joking, you’re a rookie, but don’t lose that ’cause that’s actually what Steph Curry would do.'”
This is remarkably high praise for a player who has yet to make his NBA debut. However, many Warriors fans have already embraced Lendeborg, and Green’s prediction sparked plenty of reactions on X.
“Passing of the torch right in front of our eyes,” a fan said.
Lendeborg was selected 11th and was slated to play a bench role until he showed up to training camp and blew everyone away. He kept getting better and better during practices before earning more reps in preseason games.
You could tell right away that he was ready for the league. He was outstanding offensively and even had some impressive defensive moments as well. Golden State coach Steve Kerr also realized that he was too important to keep out of the starting lineup. With Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody set to miss opening night, Kerr named Lendeborg to the starting lineup on opening night. That certainly raises expectations for the starting forward.
It will be interesting to see how he lives up to those high expectations. Of course, there’s more to the game than points, but generally, the best players find a way to contribute across the board.
Steve Kerr Reacts to Draymond Green Naming Yaxel Lendeborg the Warriors’ Next Franchise Face
Steve Kerr was asked about Draymond Green’s comments during the media availability on Wednesday and offered a different perspective.
“I think that’s a lot to put on a young guy who hasn’t played a game yet,” Kerr said. “So, that’s the last thing I’m thinking about. But I know he’s ready to play, and contribute and be one of our best players. It’s obvious.”
While the expectations may be a lot for a young player to handle, Kerr believes Lendeborg is well equipped to contribute at a high level.
As Kerr explained, Lendeborg’s strong play has helped build trust, to the point where the rookie is expected to handle the ball more often when Steph Curry is off the floor:
“One of the things we recognized right away is, he’s really good with the ball in his hands. And especially when Steph’s off the floor, we need to get him the ball.”
Trust is a crucial factor between coaches and players, whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a rookie trying to prove yourself. The most encouraging part of Lendeborg’s development this season is his willingness to put in the work needed to become a better all-around player. He is putting in the effort, listening to his coaches and teammates, and doing whatever it takes to succeed. Should he and the team stay on this trajectory, the sky is truly the limit for the young forward.
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