Following a pre-draft workout with the LA Clippers, there was a bit of speculation that the front office would trade down to select Yaxel Lendeborg. It made sense, as his age(23) combined with an NBA-ready skill set is perfect for a team trying to compete for the playoffs. However, the Clippers ultimately decided to go with Keaton Wagler, and after Lendeborg’s summer league debut with the Golden State Warriors, the regret of not making a move for him has to exist within the organization.
For context, Lendeborg’s start for the Warriors could not have gone any better. He posted 19 points, six assists, five rebounds, one steal, and one block, shooting 6-6 from the field, 4-4 from beyond the arc, and 2-2 from the charity stripe.
As if that wasn’t good enough, Lendeborg propelled the Warriors to a 32-point victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
That said, by simply looking at these numbers, one can conclude that Lendeborg has legitimate superstar potential, which the Clippers could’ve easily had.
Yaxel Lendeborg proved that trading down for him wouldn’t be a mistake
The only concern with Yaxel Lendeborg the entire time leading up to the draft, and likely why the LA Clippers didn’t go out of their way to move down for him, was his age. It wasn’t ideal for a team to draft a 23-year-old rookie, yet based on how Lendeborg looked in his first summer league match, it should’ve never mattered.
In addition to the excellent numbers he logged, Lendeborg showcased extremely fluid shot mechanics, the ability to make the right reads in transition, even in traffic, his ability to be great off the dribble, and his sixth sense to disrupt passing lanes and force turnovers.
While these characteristics are not common to find all together in one player, that’s exactly who Lendeborg is, and what he brings to the table.
The 2026 NCAA champion also did much of the same during his time with the Michigan Wolverines, which should’ve been a clear sign that he was poised to do well at the highest level.
So, at the end of the day, the Clippers wouldn’t have been wrong to make a splash, particularly for Lendeborg.
He would’ve been worth it to a T, and on top of that, the Clippers could’ve snagged a valuable asset or two for the future.
That would've been as good as it gets, especially for the Clippers, who need a ton of help.
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