While winning the Rookie of the Year award is a major goal for most NBA newcomers, Golden State Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg has set his sights even higher. In a recent interview with Prime Video’s Taylor Rooks, Lendeborg said he wanted the award badly. Although that would be a significant achievement for Lendeborg in his debut season, the 24-year-old has a much bigger ambition, which is becoming an All-Star.
Yaxel Lendeborg Faces Bigger Test as Stephen Curry Sidelined With Injury
The Warriors recently suffered a 123-85 defeat against the San Antonio Spurs, giving Yaxel Lendeborg a difficult test as he took on a bigger offensive role. At 24, he is older than most NBA rookies, having joined the league after winning an NCAA championship with Michigan. However, Lendeborg is now focused on establishing himself as one of the league’s promising young talents.
“I mean, I want it pretty badly, but it’s like when you think about it, it’s kind of like a lose-lose for me,” Lendeborg said. “If I don’t get it, ‘Oh, he’s 24 and couldn’t get Rookie of the Year.’ If I do get it, ‘Oh, he won it ’cause he’s 24, he’s older.’ So, it’s like the award will be nice, but I’m trying to be an All-Star this year.”
When he was first drafted, he expected to have a relatively limited role in the NBA, primarily waiting for opportunities to score. However, he has since emerged as the Warriors’ second offensive option. Lendeborg’s emergence has also given the Warriors reasons for optimism about their future alongside Curry.
The franchise has missed the playoffs in two of the last three seasons, raising questions about its ability to remain competitive. While Golden State is not currently considered a serious championship contender, Lendeborg’s development could provide a much-needed boost. Speaking to reporters during the morning shootaround, the rookie acknowledged that he would have to adopt a more aggressive mindset and embrace a leadership role in Curry’s absence.
“Steph, he’s old, he’s grandpa-aged,” Lendeborg said. “So, I try my best to not let those last years go to waste, like everybody’s saying. 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.”
Yaxel Lendeborg’s Age Hasn’t Stopped His Impressive Rookie Season
Lendeborg’s age has been a talking point since the Warriors selected him with the 11th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. When he was drafted, he was older than the typical first-round prospect, as NBA teams often favour younger players who enter the league after just one college season. However, his experience has seemingly worked in his favour, with the forward making an immediate impact in Golden State.
In the 2026-27 season, Lendeborg is averaging 20.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.7 blocks per game. While he has had difficult outings, including a three-point performance in Friday’s 123-85 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, his overall production has exceeded expectations.
However, Curry’s absence presents a significant challenge for both Lendeborg and Brandin Podziemski, who will be expected to shoulder more of the offensive workload. Neither looked particularly comfortable in their expanded roles against San Antonio. Lendeborg finished with a -40 plus-minus rating in 23 minutes, while Podziemski managed just 8 points on 2-of-10 shooting.
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