Kevin Garnett believes rookie Yaxel Lendeborg is first part of Warriors' rebuild

Kevin Garnett believes rookie Yaxel Lendeborg is first part of Warriors' rebuild originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg quickly is proving to be a vital player for the Warriors, guiding the team to an NBA Summer League title and scoring 12 points on opening night. The 2026 No. 11 overall pick’s early success is drawing attention, including from NBA legend Kevin Garnett.

“The kid from Michigan, I love him,” Garnett said on his KG: Certified podcast with Tony Allen and Zach Randolph. “I think he’s gonna be the first part of the rebuilding of having young pieces in there like y’all talking about and that kid actually. You can give him the ball and he can get some money, bro … he’s strong, and I don’t know if everybody understands. I think he’s a little older than everybody too.”

The Warriors have multiple aging superstars in Steph Curry and Draymond Green, and the front office needs to start thinking about the team’s future. Lendeborg could be at the very center of it.

“He’s a little more mature,” Garnett said. “He bounced around a little bit, but he’s a, he has a mature game. What they wanted with [James] Wiseman and [Jonathan] Kuminga, they’re getting with this kid because this kid has a throttle, but he’s low throttle. He doesn’t seem like he has an ego. He’s real college-y, meaning that he’s a kid, likes to, you know, play around, likes the uppity. Draymond is totally opposite. So to see him fall in line with the program and to learn, he ain’t complaining … He is fitting into the system. I just don’t know if it’s enough in the west.”

Have the Warriors found their young piece to build around? 👀

Yaxel Lendeborg isn't shying away from Luka Dončić or anybody else, and Kevin Garnett is taking notice.

KG CERTIFIED with Tony Allen & Zach Randolph is out now. pic.twitter.com/rCjtk3Wb0W

— KG: Certified (@kg_certified) October 22, 2026

Lendeborg, a focal point on Michigan’s national title-winning team in 2025-2026, made his debut in a Summer League game against the LA Lakers on July 3. He scored 19 points in the win and continued to play at a high level all summer long.

In the championship game, Lendeborg finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds, winning MVP for the game and the entire Summer League. The then-23-year-old drew praise from head coach Steve Kerr for his efforts, deeming him the most NBA-ready rookie that he has coached in his career.

The Warriors face injury issues to start the season, with guard Brandin Podziemski missing opening night and forward/center Kristaps Porzingis’ future with the team uncertain because of a health issue. But Lendeborg playing at a high level all season will help Golden State feel those absences less.

Lendeborg and the Warriors look to bounce back from their opening night loss when the Memphis Grizzlies come to town Friday night.

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