There are some interesting new Michigan and Michigan State teammates in the NBA following the 2026 NBA Draft.
Yaxel Lendeborg was selected by the Golden State Warriors and he’ll now be teamed up with Draymond Green who’s notorious for hating Michigan. The Spartan legend has won four NBA titles with the Warriors and he wasted no time trolling his new teammate with an Instagram story post shortly after Lendeborg was selected.
The other new Michigan State-Michigan teammate duo that formed because of the draft was Max Christie welcoming in Morez Johnson. They’re both welcoming former Michigan head coach Dusty May to Dallas where he’ll be coaching his first NBA season in 2026-27.
Like Draymond and Lendeborg, Christie and Johnson wasted no time getting some early rivalry trolling in.
At Johnson’s introductory presser, Christie and other teammates showed up to lend their support and welcome the rookie big man from Michigan. Christie decided to troll a little bit, however, wearing a Michigan State shirt to the presser.
Johnson immediately noticed and pointed it out.
Morez Johnson Jr. is here. He’s pointing at Max Christie, who’s wearing a Michigan State shirt. pic.twitter.com/qHcpfgjOnu
— Christian Clark (@christianpclark) June 25, 2026
Fun rivalry banter like this is more than acceptable, especially when these guys get to the NBA and realize that the other side is actually not that bad. I can’t say the same for the fanbase, but Michigan and Michigan State players can coexist and even be friends at the next level.
We’ve seen it before and it wouldn’t shock me if Max and Morez were close. I’m not going to predict the same for Yaxel and Draymond, though, given the latter’s track record with Michigan teammates.
Max Christie and Morez Johnson will be a fun duo
You couldn’t handpick a more mild-mannered duo of Michigan and Michigan State teammates than Christie and Johnson. They both seem like guys who would be OK with the occasional rivalry troll and would be fine with dishing it and taking it.
I mean, as you can see, it’s already happening.
As teammates, though, I think we’ll see a pretty fun duo on the court. Morez brings a toughness with him to the Mavericks that they desperately need after years of futility. Max brings a shooter’s touch to the perimeter and he’s also a willing defender. They’re both likely going to be starters for the 2026-27 Mavs and I think they’re going to be key figures in Dallas’ return to NBA relevance.
Fresh off a career year with Dallas, I believe Christie will be a 15-point-per-game player this season and Morez will be a serious Rookie of the Year candidate.
For once, Michigan and Michigan State fans can unite and root for the Mavericks to have some success.
Add us as a preferred source on Google