Staff Reporter Du Yijun / Combined Report
The Golden State Warriors kept relatively quiet this offseason, but rookie Yaxel Lendeborg—who lit up the Summer League—has become the one bright spot for the Bay Area squad. After watching him play, Stephen Curry didn’t hold back his praise, calling him a shot of fresh energy for the team and even hinting he could be a key piece of the future.
Golden State failed to land any big-name stars this summer, and with Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody both sidelined by injuries, the opening rotation is already looking shaky. As the only new face on the roster, Lendeborg led the Summer League team to a title, flashing serious potential. He’s expected to come off the bench as a backup for defensive anchors Draymond Green and Kristaps Porzingis, and head coach Steve Kerr plans to give the rookie plenty of minutes to develop.
Curry couldn’t stop raving about Lendeborg’s Summer League performance. “I didn’t make it to the games, but I watched every single one,” he said. “He looked confident, calm, and ultra-competitive. That’s the kind of championship DNA you want. I can’t wait to get on the floor with him and figure out how we click.”
The two-time MVP added, “The best thing about rookies? They bring a ton of energy to the locker room. Especially a guy with his talent—that’s exactly what we need right now.”
Curry’s words make it clear how much he expects from Lendeborg. As his own career winds down, the future Hall of Famer knows the importance of passing the torch. “If I can help him reach his potential after I’m done,” Curry said bluntly, “that’s how the Warriors keep winning.”
Golden State hasn’t always had luck developing high picks—James Wiseman comes to mind. Now, whether Lendeborg can break out this season might just determine whether the Bay Area can climb back to the top.