The Golden State Warriors famed ‘two timelines’ approach fell flat. But they have to rebuild eventually.
Kevin Garnett believes the Golden State Warriors have found a good young player in Yaxel Lendeborg, who can restart their youth movement.
Speaking to KG Certified, Garnett says he is already impressed by Lendeborg’s game, stating that he will surprise people when the season begins.
Garnett said: “The kid from Michigan, I love him. I think he’s going to be the first part of the rebuilding of having young pieces in there. That kid actually, you can give him the ball and he can get some money bro. He got that star game.
“He’s strong. I don’t know if everybody understand, I think he a little older than everybody too. He’s a little more mature. He bounced around a little bit, but he has a mature game.
“I think what they wanted with Wiseman and 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.”
Lendeborg was the NBA Summer League MVP, and he was picked out by Warriors associate coach Frank Vogel as a player who he is excited to work with.
After failing to land a big name in free agency, it would be huge for the Warriors if they struck gold with the 11th pick in the NBA Draft.
There are lukewarm expectations on the Warriors this season, with Bobby Marks stating they would not even be a playoff team if they were in the East.
Wiseman and Kuminga picks failed to work out
The Warriors took James Wiseman with the number two overall pick in 2020, and Jonathan Kuminga with the seventh pick in 2021. Both players were viewed as cornerstones for the future, who would one day help the team succeed beyond Stephen Curry.
Curry has outlasted both players. Wiseman was traded away in 2023, and Kuminga finally made his exit last season.
Wiseman is attempting to latch onto the Knicks roster, while Kuminga signed with the Timberwolves this offseason.
Lendeborg is the best young prospect the Warriors have drafted since the pair. But their careers with the franchise show that there are no guarantees.
Anything the Warriors get from their young star this season is a bonus – but Garnett’s comments suggest there is good reason to be optimistic that they may have a long-term piece at last.
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