Yaxel Lendeborg, a former Michigan forward, was chosen by the Golden State Warriors with the 11th overall choice in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Given the prominent figures that work in the Warriors’ locker room, it will be crucial for Lendeborg to settle in fast. And it seems that the novice has been kept waiting by the biggest personality of them all.
On June 26, Lendeborg and Lajae Jones, Golden State’s other 2026 NBA Draft pick, held their first news conference.
Lendeborg responded as follows when asked if he had spoken to Draymond Green, Steph Curry, or any other Warriors veterans since being drafted:
“Yeah. Steph actually welcomed both of us in the group chat, the night of the draft. when [Lajae Jones] got drafted [and] I got drafted.
“And I reached out to [Curry] yesterday, and I asked him a quick question. And then I reached out to Draymond, as well. Haven’t gotten that response back yet from Draymond yet,”.
Yaxel said Steph Curry welcomed him and Lajae to the Warriors groupchat:
“Steph actually welcomed both of us in the groupchat the night of the drafts, when he (Lajae) got drafted, I got drafted. And I reached out to him yesterday I asked one quick question and then I reached out… pic.twitter.com/PiwaYs53oZ
— aly ✶ (@jinthirty) June 26, 2026
This prompted Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. to say, “Don’t worry. He doesn’t respond to me, either.”
A video showing Green partying with Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum in Paris, France, quickly surfaced on social media on Friday, suggesting a possible explanation for Draymond’s lack of response. The two NBA legends are lip-syncing and dancing to the song “Shabang,” which was featured on rapper Drake’s most recent album, “ICEMAN.”
When Draymond returns from France, he might see Yaxel.
