SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Warriors selected Yaxel Lendeborg with the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Warriors personnel have engaged in public exchanges addressing the possibility of LeBron James, a free agent in 2026, joining the franchise.

Lendeborg, a 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward, is 23 years old and was at least three years older than all 10 players drafted ahead of him. He had a private pre-draft workout with the Warriors on June 11. During the 2025-2026 NCAA season, Lendeborg led the University of Michigan to a national championship and was named the Big Ten Player of the Year and a first-team All-American. He averaged 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals while shooting 52% from the field.

In his first two Summer League games in Las Vegas, Lendeborg averaged 17.5 points while shooting from the field and 50% from three-point range. On June 12, he made a recruiting pitch to James on a media show.

Draymond Green addressed Lendeborg's recruiting pitch in a podcast interview, stating, [Lendeborg] said, 'I know you don't like rookies that much, but I'm not the average rookie. If you're looking to play with the greatest shooter of all time, and Draymond, we'll be glad to have you.' Is the pitch too weak, or too strong? I don't know. Green added, I think the pitch is pointless.

You know? But it's fine; training camp is coming soon enough, and, you know, got to reign the rookie in a little bit, teach him a few things. Training camp's coming soon enough... And I think you all know why I'm hitting at training camp. And yeah, it'll get here soon enough, Yax. Enjoy all your media.

Green also responded in a podcast interview to Lendeborg's claim that Green had not texted him back. Using profanity, Green denied the claim and stated that he replied to Lendeborg the next minute. Green stated, We're not really a team very big on rookie hazing. … But we can pick that back up. Lendeborg told reporters he was nervous about the comments, saying he got a little nervous.

I don't know what he's talking about, man. He could be hinting at a lot of different things. Hopefully it's not the (rookie) hazing — I hope we keep that at a minimum.

Green declined a $27.7 million player option with the Warriors. The decision comes as James evaluates his options in free agency. Green has worn jersey number 23 since being drafted by the Warriors in 2012, but he stated on Threads that he would wear jersey number 5 if James joined the Warriors and wore number 23. When a fan asked on Threads what jersey number he would wear if James arrived, Green responded, 2+3=5.

Head coach Steve Kerr stated to a fan, We got him. Put that on Twitter, when asked about James. Green wrote on social media in response, If I know Steve as well as I think I do, he was joking. Stephen Curry also publicly addressed the possibility, stating on Instagram, Let's go!

Welcome to the Bay! I'm going to work hard to be your new favorite player.

Curry elaborated on what James might find attractive about the Warriors, stating, The Bay, we know how to win, beautiful weather, great golf. I know he's into that. Curry added, The USA experience that we had, the battles that we had over the years, we just know how to play basketball, and I think he would enjoy just the idea of what it means to finish your career the right way.

NBA insider Marc J. Spears addressed the speculation, stating, I'm not sitting here pining for LeBron to come to Golden State; I'm not; I'm just talking about what's available. Spears added, I know he's tight, tighter with Draymond or any other player in the league. And Draymond keeps throwing little crumbs out there for people to decipher. So, these guys might be sending voice messages, Draymond's having dinner with.

The selection of Lendeborg arrives as the Warriors navigate a pivotal offseason. James' free agency status has drawn league-wide attention, and the public comments from Kerr, Green and Curry reflect the franchise's effort to signal openness to a championship-level addition. Shams Charania reported that Cleveland, Miami and Philadelphia have become the primary focus for James in the final stages of his free agency process, indicating the Warriors face competition from multiple markets.

Green's decision to decline his player option demonstrates the flexibility Golden State is creating in its roster construction. The jersey number discussion and Curry's references to winning culture, weather and golf illustrate how Warriors personnel are attempting to appeal to James' priorities. Lendeborg's recruitment pitch adds another dimension, showing how the team's younger players are engaging in the effort to attract a future Hall of Famer.