Entering the 2026-27 NBA season, the narrative surrounding the Warriors was Steph Curry’s final years were being wasted on a team that couldn’t compete.
Then, Yaxel Lendeborg arrived. While the Warriors rookie has taken the NBA by storm, he wants his performance to be justified via his first All-Star selection.
As a 24-year-old, Lendeborg believes he would be shamed for winning or losing the Rookie of the Year award. He’d rather be an All-Star in February.
“The award would be nice, but I’m trying to be an All-Star this year,” Lendeborg told Amazon Prime NBA crew’s Taylor Rooks.
Golden State has relied on Lendeborg to assist Curry in carrying the offensive load this season, but the rookie has been thrust into a leadership role in the veteran’s absence. Curry is expected to miss significant time with an oblique injury.
Lendeborg didn’t expect to earn a starting role when he was selected with the No. 11 overall pick by the Warriors in this year’s NBA draft, but a few weeks into the season and the team is turning to the rookie to keep the team afloat in a competitive Western Conference.
“When I got drafted, I just expected to be the guy that sits in the corner and waits for his turn,” Lendeborg said.
As for his legacy, Lendeborg hopes to be remembered as the youthful spark that helped Curry enjoy the final years of his storied NBA career.
“I want to try to be somebody that brought life back into [Curry],” he said.
“I want to be my best for him because he’s done so much for the Warriors, and I feel like I owe a lot to the Warriors.”
