If you’re one of the members of the Draymond Green Fan Club, you’ve had quite the past few months.
First, the former Michigan State star and four-time NBA champ was eliminated from the playoffs in the play-in round by the Phoenix Suns. Then rumors surfaced about him potentially ready to move on from Steve Kerr. After that, he said that Kerr held him back as an offensive player. He then beefed with an on-air NBA personality. Then Kerr signed an extension while Green is still trying to figure out his immediate future.
Another wrinkle has just been added to Draymond’s eventful offseason as the Golden State Warriors have just selected Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg with the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
This is a great pick for the Warriors who are going to need some more scoring help outside of perennial MVP candidate Steph Curry who’s 38 years old and who will be 39 by the start of the NBA Playoffs next season. This Golden State team is old, but it added some “youth” in Michigan’s Lendeborg. I quoted the word “youth” because Yaxel is a slightly older rookie.
With the addition of Yaxel, Draymond now has to assimilate to life with another uber-confident Michigan star and the last time that happened, it ended with the punch heard ‘round the world.
I don’t see the same happening here, but I do think Draymond’s and Yaxel’s personalities clash.
Draymond Green and Yaxel Lendeborg are complete opposites
When you look at the personalities of both Green and Lendeborg, it’s obvious that they’re on complete opposite ends of the spectrum.
Green is a no-nonsense Swiss army knife-type player who is more substance than flash and who likes to get under players’ skin at every opportunity. He’s also a respected veteran with a bit of a temper who is known as one of the better leaders and teammates in the league despite his hothead reputation. He’s also a defense-first player who is more willing to make the right pass than look for his own shot.
Lendeborg, on the other hand, is a flashy slashing wing who likes to show off on and off the court. He gets under opposing players’ skin with off-court antics and has been known to be a little immature. Yaxel was one of Michigan’s top leaders so he proved that he could also take on that role. He was also more offensive-minded at Michigan, though he can do both very well. He’s more likely to hunt his own shots.
Still, both Lendeborg and Green couldn’t be any different.
Fortunately for the Warriors, they’re not opposites in the most important category: they’re both addicting to winning.
Golden State is going to be just fine.
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