The Golden Warriors' continuing slide into irrelevancy has been caused by their inability to move on from the past. They have botched the development of several rookies in the last few years, particularly Jonathan Kuminga. Yaxel Lendeborg may finally be the player who fixes this trend.
For the better part of a decade, the Warriors were the most dominant team in the NBA. They made six NBA Finals in ten years, winning four of them. This was largely thanks to their superstar lineup that featured Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and more in their prime years.
Their most recent title was in 2022 over the Celtics. The last four seasons have seen significant declines as the Warriors got knocked out in the second round of the playoffs twice and completely missed the postseason in the other two years. It has not been a good scene for Golden State.
An aging core combined with an unwillingness to take chances on young talent continues to push the Warriors deeper into irrelevancy. This has cost them potential pieces of a new dynasty in Jordan Poole, James Wiseman, Donte DiVincenzo, Quenton Post, and, most famously, Jonathan Kuminga.
Focusing on Lendeborg could turn things around for Golden State
The Warriors now have a chance to turn this trend around by doing right by their newest rookie. They drafted Lendeborg 11th overall in 2026, fresh off winning an NCAA Championship with Michigan. He received multiple honors throughout his college career, particularly for his championship campaign.
Lendeborg hasn't even played a regular-season NBA game, and has already received his first NBA honor. After leading the Warriors to the 2026 NBA Summer League Championship, he was named the Summer League Championship MVP. Getting him at 11 might have been the steal of the draft.
Planning for the next evolution of the Warriors has to start now, something their front office has been open about in recent months. They know it's time to move forward, and Lendeborg is the guy to build around to get them there. He is a foundational piece of their next dynasty, without question.
Players like Lendeborg don't come around every day. It's not hard to wonder what the Warriors would have looked like if they had been able to partner Lendeborg with Post and Kuminga. All of that being said, Golden State shouldn't be afraid to trade Brandin Podziemski the next chance they get.
Add us as a preferred source on Google