Draymond Green claims rookie Yaxel Lendeborg is next face of Warriors franchise
Draymond Green claims rookie Yaxel Lendeborg is next face of Warriors franchise originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Steph Curry has cemented himself as the face of the Golden State Warriors franchise for years to come.
But as Curry enters the twilight of his playing career, the franchise will need an active player to pick up the responsibility.
Draymond Green, on his podcast “The Draymond Green Show,” made a bold claim as to who will become the new face of the franchise after Curry.
“The Golden State Warriors has found the next face of the franchise: Yaxel [Lendeborg]…” Green stated. “”He has the game. He has the personality”
Draymond and Taylor Rooks discuss why Yaxel Lendeborg is the next face of the franchise for the Warriors
"The Golden State Warriors has found the next face of the franchise… we're gonna talk Rookie of the Year next, that's my pick… we had open practice, we do the singing,… pic.twitter.com/lbLHn4H4bW
— The Draymond Green Show (@DraymondShow) October 20, 2026
The rookie has yet to play a regular-season game for the Warriors but already has impressed key Warriors figures so far with his play in the preseason. In addition to his play, Lendeborg’s infectious personality has been on display already.
“We had open practice, we do the singing, this dude went up in the crowd and the fans loved it, they were going crazy…” Green explained. “I don’t even think he realized what he was doing. But I’m like, ‘Yo, these people are going to love you.'”
Guess what song Yaxel chose to sing 😂@Waymo || Open Practice pic.twitter.com/NcIO0KqMAK
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) October 19, 2026
A fan favorite of the Warriors’ annual preseason open practice is when the rookies take the mic and sing a song for the fans. During his performance, Lendeborg took the extra step of joining fans in the stands while he sang.
It’s one of the many examples of the rookie ingratiating himself with the fan base that Green sees to support his claim that Lendeborg will be the new face of the franchise.
Green also noted that Warriors coach Steve Kerr had to pull the rookie away from signing autographs in the tunnel before open practice began.
“We’re all underneath the rim in the paint and Steve’s going crazy like, ‘Come on guys,’ and he’s in the tunnel signing autographs and Steve has to go get him…” Green recalled. “I told him last night, I said, ‘Hey, everybody’s going to be joking, you’re a rookie but don’t lose that cause that’s actually what Steph Curry would do.'”
Curry always gives some of his time to the fans, and Lendeborg already is joining in that as well.
A quick game of rock, papers, scissors for the Rook ✂️@Waymo || Open Practice pic.twitter.com/AFPmoPTX7E
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) October 18, 2026
Green clarified that his “new face of the franchise” claim is not meant to hold Lendeborg to a lofty standard or take the crown away from Curry.
“Now, when you speak next face of the franchise, I’m not trying to add pressure to him or move it along from Steph, because Stephen Curry will always be the face of this franchise whether it’s 10 years from now, 20 years from now, he will be the face…” Green explained. “…Talking about that next transition… [Lendeborg] is that guy.”
Aside from the hype his veteran teammate has given him, Lendeborg has earned plenty of it himself with his stellar preseason performances. Now that the preseason is over, he looks to make his NBA debut Wednesday at the Los Angeles Lakers and potentially be the first Warriors rookie to start in the team’s season opener since James Wiseman in the 2020-21 season.
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