Warriors GM Dunleavy Explains Animated Interaction with Joe Lacob Before Drafting Lendeborg
The Warriors weighed trade options before agreeing on the 23-year-old forward, who fits their push for immediate help around Stephen Curry.
- On Tuesday, the Golden State Warriors selected Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg with the 11th pick in the NBA Draft, shortly after cameras captured owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy in an animated discussion on the ESPN broadcast.
- Addressing speculation, Dunleavy clarified the exchange involved trade discussions rather than disagreement, explaining that he and Lacob ultimately reached consensus to draft the 24-year-old prospect to bolster their aging roster.
- The Big Ten Player of the Year brings defensive versatility and immediate readiness to a team maximizing the remaining championship window of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, addressing priorities entering the offseason.
- With Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody expected to miss significant time due to knee injuries, the organization envisions Lendeborg contributing immediate minutes at multiple positions, including wing and power forward.
- Analysts project the rookie can provide scoring and defensive versatility from Day 1, while Lendeborg expressed a desire to learn from Green to help Golden State return to championship contention.
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21 Articles
Former UAB star makes humble NBA entry: ‘I’m truly unworthy’
Yaxel Lendeborg stood out among the first-round picks in the NBA Draft on Tuesday night. It wasn’t just that Lendeborg will be 24 years old in September and none of the 10 players picked ahead of him is older than 20. Lendeborg’s draft night interviews lacked the verbal swagger of teens confident of making an immediate mark in the NBA.
Lendeborg drafted by Warriors after previously 'hating' Steph Curry, cries as he hugs mom with Stage 4 cancer
an unforgettable moment as he broke down in tears on June 23 after being selected 11th overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Mike Dunleavy On Argument With Joe Lacob During 2026 NBA Draft
The NBA Draft is supposed to be stressful, but apparently not stressful enough for the Golden State Warriors. As the Warriors prepared to make the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, television cameras caught owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. in what looked like a very intense discussion inside the team’s war room. Mike Dunleavy explained his viral interaction with Joe Lacob in the Warriors' draft room tonight pic.twitter.com…
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