In today’s Dub Hub:
- Yaxel Lendeborg says it would be “amazing” to play with Steph Curry following his pre-draft workout with the Warriors.
- Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor has the Warriors selecting Tennessee forward Nate Ament in his latest NBA mock draft.
- Victor Wembanyama remains confident as the Spurs stare down a 3-1 NBA Finals deficit against the Knicks.
Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg worked out for the Golden State Warriors on Thursday as part of the team’s pre-draft process. Following the workout, Lendeborg spoke with reporters and was asked what it would be like to play alongside Warriors superstar Steph Curry if Golden State were to select him later this month.
As expected, the projected lottery pick didn’t hide his excitement.
It’s easy to understand why the idea appeals to Lendeborg. Curry’s constant movement and ability to draw multiple defenders have created countless easy opportunities for teammates throughout his career. For a versatile forward like Lendeborg, who thrives as a connective piece on both ends of the floor, those extra pockets of space could help elevate his game even further at the next level.
Meanwhile, the Warriors, who currently hold the No. 11 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft, remain focused on balancing competing in the present with building for the future. Because of this, the 23-year-old Lendeborg has emerged as one of the prospects most frequently connected to Golden State in recent mock drafts.
Lendeborg’s NBA-ready skill set makes him one of the more intriguing options in this draft, and if his comments on Thursday are any indication, the opportunity to play alongside Curry on the Warriors is one he would gladly embrace.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Friday, June 12th:
Warriors News:
Plug and play? NBA draft prospect Yaxel Lendeborg already can see Warriors fit | NBC Sports Bay Area
Already, Lendeborg can see his fit on the Warriors and how he would make an impact from Day 1 if they were to take him with the No. 11 pick. His answer wasn’t about himself. More so, it was about how he can help everybody else.
“I would say, like five assists a game maybe to start off,” Lendeborg said Thursday after his Warriors workout. “A lot of defense, fastbreak opportunities for me. Depending on if I’m here or anywhere else, my role will be a lot different. But if I was here, I’ll be more like a secondary ball-handler. Whenever Steph [Curry] is taken out of the game, I’ll be there to assist, maybe provide a little more offense or instant offense.”
NBA Mock Draft 8.0: The latest projections for all 60 picks, including a new landing spot for Cameron Boozer | Yahoo Sports
Players who can handle, shoot off the dribble, and stand at 6-10 don’t grow on trees. This physical foundation kept Ament in lottery consideration even after a dreadful start to his freshman season when he struggled to score efficiently and make an impact defensively. But over the second half of the year for Tennessee, he flipped a switch and shots began to fall. He averaged 23.8 points over a six-game stretch in January and February that reminded everyone why he was a top recruit in the country. Then he dealt with an ankle injury that ruined his momentum entering March and severely struggled during the tournament. Steve Kerr re-signed for a two-year deal and would probably rather have a pro-ready player, but maybe Ament will be the young guy who exceeds expectations and turns into a star.
Draymond Green explains why he calls Jonathan Kuminga his biggest draft miss
NBA News:
Wembanyama issued flagrant, one point away from suspension | ESPN
Having now collected three flagrant foul points this postseason, Wembanyama is only one point away from an automatic suspension. He committed the latest transgression, a flagrant foul 1, with 9:27 left in the third quarter of Game 4 when he elbowed Karl-Anthony Towns in the chin as the two were tied up near the 3-point line.
Victor Wembanyama confident in the Spurs heading into Game 5: ‘Everybody knows we’re gonna do it’
In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:
Warriors ‘legitimately interested’ in adding LeBron James to their veteran core, per report
Whether this latest report ultimately leads anywhere remains to be seen. But if Golden State is indeed entering the final chapter of Curry’s championship window, there may be no more fascinating way to end it than by pairing Curry with the very player who once stood as the dynasty’s greatest rival.
A post to end the week:
Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.
