The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft is in the books and although no Michigan State players were selected, some Spartans made headlines on draft night.
The first headline was Morez Johnson joining former Michigan State star Max Christie and former Michigan head coach Dusty May in Dallas. The Mavericks are likely to be starting a Wolverine and a Spartan next season under a former Michigan head coach who just won a national title.
The next headline pertained to a certain Michigan star joining the Golden State Warriors and taking a shot at Michigan State in the process thanks to his new proximity to Draymond Green.
Yaxel Lendeborg and Draymond are set to be teammates in 2026-27, barring a change in plans and a surprise Green exit to free agency. Many believe that he’s going to either extend with the Warriors or play the final year of his Golden State contract out. The Warriors’ No. 23 will likely face an interesting request from his new rookie teammate because Lendeborg, too, wears the No. 23.
One of those two will be wearing that number this season. And I’d be willing to bet that it’s not Lendeborg.
Michigan State catches another stray from Yaxel Lendeborg
Lendeborg has never been one to keep his thoughts to himself so when he was asked a question about wearing Michigan State gear all season in order to get the No. 23 from Draymond, his answer was pretty blunt and he ended up taking a shot at “little brother”.
Yaxel Lendeborg wore #23 at Michigan.
— Hobie Artigue (@HeyItsMeHobie) June 24, 2026
His new teammate Draymond Green (and former Spartan) wears #23 with the Warriors.
Would Yax wear MSU gear all season to get to wear #23 in the NBA?
"Nah ... I only went there for one year, but I hate those guys."
College rivalries, y'all. pic.twitter.com/UqX27bSpuN
While I thought the answer was pretty corny, per usual, he is correct in saying that he has bragging rights over Michigan State for what he was able to do in just one season at Michigan.
Calling the Spartans “little brother” and “losers” is a little too far and I’d expect Draymond to put him in his place if he uses those terms around him. I do love that he’s keeping that college rivalry alive even though he was only involved for one year.
I’d bet that Green has no intention of giving up his No. 23, especially not to a guy who calls him “little brother”.
A lot of fans are worried that Yaxel and Draymond are going to clash a lot as teammates because they’re polar opposites, but I could see the opposite happening. Green is a veteran who’s nearing the end of his NBA career and Yaxel is an up-and-coming star. Draymond wants Golden State to be in a good place after he leaves and Yaxel may be a key cog in that. For that reason, Draymond is likely going to take Yaxel under his wing.
Lendeborg might be entering the NBA with a little more cockiness than Green would like from his rookies, so that might get him into a little bit of trouble.
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