Steph Curry Has High Hopes for Warriors Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg

While the Golden State Warriors have been relatively quiet this offseason, one of their most notable acquisitions of the summer is a rookie who is looking to make a name for himself in year one.  The Warriors selected former Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg with the 11th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and with his age and experience, this is a player Golden State may be expecting to make a big impact right away.  Warriors star Stephen Curry recently came out and shared his thoughts on the addition of Lendeborg and what he thinks the rookie might bring to the locker room.  Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images “He looks very confident, poised, competitive; he’s a champion and I’m excited to get out there and figure it out with him," Curry said. "You know, rookies are awesome ‘cause they bring such good energy to the locker room, especially guys with talent like him." What Should the Warriors Expect From Lendeborg in Year 1? Yaxel Lendeborg comes into the NBA as an 'NBA-ready prospect.' He stands at 6'9 and weighs 241 pounds, a big stature that makes him physically ready to compete at the next level.  He will also be an older rookie this season as he will be 24 years old as the Warriors' campaign begins. In terms of his role on the Warriors, he will likely be heavily involved in the rotation.  Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images The Warriors will need help at the shooting guard and small forward spots next season because of the injuries to Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody. Both players are in jeopardy of missing the start of the season due to season-ending injuries that they suffered in 2025-2026.  Lendeborg is a player who may not be as productive as Moody or Butler, but his frame and athleticism can make up for the talent lost. Lendeborg plays physically and can get downhill as a finisher around the rim.  He is also a very capable shooter from long range. With the Wolverines, he shot 37.2 percent from three-point range.  Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images If Yaxel Lendeborg can find his footing early in his rookie season, he could be in contention for the Rookie of The Year award because of the amount of opportunities he can get.  There's also a chance that his emergence will help Steph Curry but keeping pressure off of him to carry the offense. The Warriors currently lack a number two option offensively, but Lendeborg could be someone who can alleviate some of that for the franchise star.  Golden State has an aging roster, but Lendeborg's youth and explosiveness could give this team an energy lift as the season progresses.