The Golden State Warriors had their highest draft pick in five years at No. 11, and they used the pick to select Yaxel Lendeborg on Tuesday in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The rookie will now get to play with Stephen Curry, the 12-time NBA All-Star he once hated. After the draft, Lendeborg laid out the real reason behind his previous dislike for Curry.
Why Golden State Warriors Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg Hated Stephen Curry
The rivalry between Kyrie Irving’s Cleveland Cavaliers and the Warriors reached its peak in 2016, but the roots were planted a year earlier when the Warriors defeated an injury-riddled Cavaliers squad to capture the 2015 NBA championship.
That storyline culminated in June 2016 with one of the most memorable Finals in sports history, as the Cavaliers became the first team ever to overcome a 3-1 deficit in a Finals series.
Irving drilled a clutch step-back 3-pointer over Curry in the closing moments of Game 7, breaking a late tie and helping secure Cleveland’s championship win.
At the time, Lendeborg was firmly in Irving’s corner, which naturally made him a Curry hater.
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A decade later, he finds himself preparing to play alongside the very player he once rooted against.
“It’s a full-circle moment for me,” Lendeborg said. “In 2016, I’m a big Kyrie guy, so I used to hate Steph Curry. Now that I’m actually going to be able to be on the same team with him, play, and actually learn so much from him, it means a lot.”
Yaxel Lendeborg on playing with Stephen Curry:
“It’s a full-circle moment for me. In 2016, I’m a big Kyrie guy, so I used to hate Steph Curry.” pic.twitter.com/Gjir5ZIC1P
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) June 24, 2026
“He’s a very great guy, a genuine person. It’s going to be an honor to be able to watch what he does in person. So, I’m very excited.”
Lendeborg is now getting ready to join Curry and help lead a Warriors team coming off a 37-45 season that ended with a play-in tournament exit. The rookie disclosed that he spoke with Curry during a pre-draft workout with Golden State last week.
With Curry at 38 years old, Draymond Green (36), and Jimmy Butler (36), the Warriors were clearly seeking a player capable of contributing immediately rather than a long-term project.
That likely factored into their decision to select Lendeborg with the No. 11 overall pick. After spending six years in college, he entered the draft significantly older and more experienced than any of the 10 players chosen ahead of him.
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“He can play everything,” Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy said about Lendeborg. “Potentially, he can guard 1 to 5. Offensively, I think he’s a forward who 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.”
Averaging 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, Lendeborg helped lead Michigan to its first national championship since 1989 and is projected as an impact player who can provide immediate production on the wing.
