Yaxel Lendeborg has wasted no time in getting to know his Golden State Warriors teammates after being selected with the 11th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Throughout the summer, we've seen multiple humorous interactions between the rookie forward and veteran Draymond Green. The two share somewhat of a pre-built rivalry, as Green comes out of the Michigan State Spartans system and Lendeborg spent last season with the Michigan Wolverines.
During Golden State's media day, on Monday, Sept. 28, Lendeborg described his relationship with Green. The rookie hilariously likened Green to an uncle 'you see at a barbecue.'
"He's definitely one of those uncles that you see at a barbecue one time and then don't see them for a long time," Lendeborg said of Green.
"It is definitely kind of cool to have him around like that. I didn't expect it to be like that, you know? Because he looks super mean. He looks like your 'not gonna talk' kind of guy. So being able to actually joke around with him. I actually just took a picture, and it was kind of cool. I'm happy that he's that way, and to be annoying without him getting bothered."
Green is Golden State's vocal leader. He holds everyone on the roster accountable throughout the season. The fact that he and Lendeborg are already developing a relationship bodes well for the rookie, as Green can provide plenty of information on how to navigate the NBA, especially during your first season.
Furthermore, Lendeborg's ability to connect with players of different ages on the roster should also allow him to slot easily into the locker room dynamics. While off-court friendships rarely move the needle in terms of the box score, having a group of talented players all pulling in the same direction is key to sustained success through a season. Lendeborg is already building those bridges, and that should pay dividends once the season gets underway.
This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebookand Twitter!
This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: Warriors' rookie compares Draymond Green to an uncle at a barbecue
