Exclusive | Why Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg is key to Steph Currys final title run

When Yaxel Lendeborg lays in bed at night imagining his future, there’s so much that excites him. He’s going to throw assists to Steph Curry, the greatest shooter of all time.He’ll be in a defensive stance alongside Draymond Green, who has made a Hall of Fame career out of bottling up opposing teams’ stars. When asked which scenario most often plays through his mind as he falls asleep, he didn’t hesitate. “I’d probably say lockdown defense next to Dray,” Lendeborg told The California Post.

“I have a lot to learn.He’s such a great defender, such a versatile defender.

That’s something I’ve always wanted to improve on.So being able to learn from him is something I’m very excited to do.” California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.

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Never miss a story For the Warriors, Lendeborg is the Swiss Army Knife they need. The 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward can play small-ball center, handle the ball and shoot 3s.He’s also a lauded defender who can guard positions 1 through 5. The 23-year-old Lendeborg, whom Golden State selected with the No.

11 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, is expected to make an immediate impact for the Warriors, especially with Jimmy Butler (torn right ACL) and Moses Moody (torn left patellar tendon) out for the start of the season. As for Lendeborg, he was on pins and needles during draft night, hoping the Warriors would select him.  “They showed me a lot of love,” Lendeborg told the Post, referring to a private, pre-draft workout he had with the team June 11.

“They were pretty much giving me the game plan of how it was going to go.I was super happy the entire time.

They made me feel wanted as soon as I stepped in.There was no place I wanted to be other than that.”Lendeborg is at least 3 years older than all 10 play...