The Warriors selected Yaxel Lendeborg with the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA draft, adding a versatile wing to a roster already anchored by Stephen Curry. Lendeborg admitted he once “hated Steph” as a 2016 Kyrie Irving fan, a sentiment shaped by Cleveland’s Finals clash with Golden State.

Curry replied with humor, posting “Let’s go! Welcome to the Bay! I’ll work hard to be your new favorite player” and a crying‑laughing emoji. Lendeborg, whose family moved from Puerto Rico to Ohio at age two, grew up a Cavaliers supporter during the Warriors‑Cavaliers finals run. Meeting Curry at the April play‑in changed his view, turning admiration into anticipation.

Now a Michigan standout, Lendeborg says sharing the floor with a future Hall of Famer “means a lot” and offers a chance to learn directly from Stephen Curry. He also ribbed Draymond Green over the latter’s Michigan State ties, a tease yet to be returned. Golden State adds a young scorer eager to contribute immediately.