Bridging the gap between a veteran team on the last leg of their prime and building for the future is not without challenges.
As much as the Golden State Warriors have wanted to excel at smoothly integrating talented young players with their experienced core, they have come up short nearly every time. From James Wiseman to Jordan Poole to Jonathan Kuminga, the Warriors have fumbled several opportunities with promising young players.
With the team’s most recent lottery pick, Yaxel Lendeborg, Golden State is under more pressure than ever to finally nail a draft selection. Doing so requires that the Warriors avoid the pitfalls that have previously hindered other young players.
Lendeborg’s Press Conference Comments Set Off a Chain Reaction
When the Warriors drafted Lendeborg, he was asked all the usual questions: How does it feel to hear your name called? What do you think you can bring to the team?
But one question in particular set off a chain reaction of turbulent exchanges that could have severe implications down the line.
In the opening press conference for the new rookies, Lendeborg was asked if he had heard from any of his new Warriors teammates. He responded by saying he had heard from Stephen Curry, who welcomed him and fellow draftee Lajae Jones. However, he hadn’t heard back from Draymond Green, whom he had reached out to.
Green caught wind of the rookie’s comments. He then posted a screenshot of a text thread between him and Lendeborg, showing that he did, in fact, respond to him.
“Yaxel’s been f—lying. It’s the Michigan way,” Green said on his podcast, alluding to the rivalry between their two colleges – Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. “This guy texts me. I text back within 30 seconds.”
He continued to pile on to the 23-year-old’s remarks.
“This f—— guy goes in an interview and says ‘Oh man, Steph reached out. I texted Draymond, still waiting on a response back.’ You f—— liar Yaxel… How the hell you gonna say ‘Draymond haven’t text me back?’”
Lendeborg later clarified that he meant to say Green didn’t answer a specific question he asked – not that he didn’t answer at all.
“He knew what I was talking about, man,” Lendeborg said. “I asked him a question, and he didn’t respond to the question… Well, I should have emphasized it, but I didn’t,” he laughed.
Lendeborg downplayed the back-and-forth, implying they had no personal issues.
But the awkward exchanges didn’t stop there.
A Harmless LeBron Pitch Still Drew Green’s Criticism
During Bleacher Report’s Summer League live show, Lendeborg joined the set to talk. He discussed basketball and Summer League, but another topic also came up.
In the midst of ongoing rumors regarding where LeBron should or will play, he was put on the spot to pitch LeBron on why he should join the Dubs.
“I know you don’t like rookies that much, but I’m not the average rookie,” he said. “…If you’re looking to play with the greatest shooter of all time and a close friend of yours, Draymond, it’d be great to come to the Warriors…”
His pitch was innocuous, suggesting no reason to ruffle the feathers of Green. Somehow, though, he still did.
Green took a shot at his new teammate’s bid for LeBron, deeming it “pointless.” He then went on to say how the rookie will need to be dialed back while he teaches him “a few things.”
There was no reason for Green to criticize Lendeborg’s response to a question he was asked. Lendeborg didn’t say anything to embarrass Green or the Warriors organization, yet he was still upset.
Lendeborg had laughed off any exchanges between him and Green up to that point. But Green’s arbitrary criticism finally caused a noticeable shift in tone from him.
“I got a little nervous,” Lendeborg admitted. “I don’t know what he’s talking about, man… Hopefully that’s not the (rookie) hazing – I hope we keep that to a minimum.”
Lendeborg tried to convince himself that Green didn’t mean his comments negatively. But the remarks had undoubtedly rattled him on some level.
“I hope it’s just like, ‘Yeah, I got you. This is what you shouldn’t do.’ So I’m a little worried, but hopefully everything goes well.”
Lendeborg Is Already Uncertain About His Relationship With Green
Part of why Lendeborg might be worried is because he knows how the story could play out. He’s seen it before.
What starts as playful banter may very well escalate into something much worse.
The last time Green got into it with a teammate from the University of Michigan, it ended with Green punching Jordan Poole.
That incident occurred nearly four years ago, and Lendeborg wasn’t even in the league yet. But watching the video of Poole going down raised a series of questions for him. The kind of thoughts that have Lendeborg cautious not to live that scene firsthand.
“I’ve just seen the video, and I’m like, ‘Damn, what could have inspired that to happen?’” he said. “… I’m not the kind of guy who’s going to be mad at my teammates. I don’t think I’ll ever put Draymond in a position to even want to do that.”
Training camp has yet to begin, and Lendeborg and Green’s relationship is already off to a rocky start. Lendeborg may never get into a physical matchup as Green did with Poole, but the fact that the Warriors’ prospect already has it on his mind is concerning for the team.
As one of the most scrutinized organizations in the NBA, Golden State doesn’t need any more drama surrounding the team.
Green is a four-time champion with 14 years of NBA experience under his belt. It is the job of the Warriors’ older players to make sure incoming players feel welcome and get off on a good foot. If Green had a personal issue with Lendeborg, a wiser alternative would have been to discuss it behind closed doors – not to divulge it on his podcast for the world to dissect.
The Warriors Cannot Afford to Repeat Past Mistakes
Golden State needs Lendeborg to pan out – and his assimilation with the vets will be crucial in making that happen. They will need someone like Lendeborg with the size and skill at his position in the absence of key players. Whether or not Draymond wants to admit it, he and the Warriors will have to rely heavily on their 11th pick.
The damage from punching Poole is already done. The ripple effects from that October day continue to echo throughout the organization. For all of Poole’s faults, he was an offensive sparkplug who could get hot at any moment and shift games.
It is too early to gain an idea of what Lendeborg’s ceiling is. But should he live up to the hype, there’s no reason for him not to be along for the long haul.
The Warriors have already botched the two-timeline plan with young players in the past.
They can’t afford to do it again.
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