What we learned about Yaxel Lendeborg, Warriors during California Classic summer league

The Golden State Warriors' top pick Yaxel Lendeborg impressed during the California Classic summer league, scoring 30 points and grabbing 13 rebounds across two games while showcasing his passing ability. The Warriors won their first two games before resting key players in a loss to the Heat, as the team prepares for the Las Vegas summer league. Second-round pick Lajae Jones struggled offensively and may need G-League development, while second-year player Will Richard showed improvement in his role.

Getting your Trinity Audio //trinityaudio.ai player ready...SAN FRANCISCO – The quality of hoops https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/07/06/kurtenbach-the-warriors-arent-victims-of-the-lebron-sweepstakes-theyre-active-participants-in-their-own-demise/ ranged from genuinely exciting to a snooze, all generally played at a quick tempo that was only occasionally buffered by replay reviews of calls made under the lowest of stakes. Composed of a roster headlined by top pick Yaxel Lendeborg https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/07/05/warriors-summer-league-yaxel-lendeborg-led-defense-smothers-spurs/ and genuine NBA rotation players https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/07/03/warriors-summer-league-yaxel-lendeborg-wows-with-perfect-shooting-night-vs-lakers/ such as Will Richard, LJ Cryer and Malevy Leons, the Warriors smoked their first two opponents at Chase Center. Golden State sat that quartet in the finale on Monday, allowing less-touted players an opportunity to be showcased in front of scouts in a 95-85 loss to the Heat. The Warriors open their four-game slate on Thursday in Las Vegas against the Mavericks at the Thomas & Mack Center on UNLV’s campus. Lendeborg is pro-ready Before the draft general manager Mike Dunleavy said that the team needed “a little bit of everything” after the franchise suffered through a 37-45 season and missed the playoffs. Yaxel Lendeborg might not be “everything” but the 6-foot-9 forward does bring many things the Warriors need. At nearly 24 years old, he has looked every bit the pro-ready prospect Lendeborg was billed to be coming out of Michigan as the No. 11 pick in the draft. Especially as a passer, where he had eight assists. “I’d say my passing is a little underrated,” Lendeborg said after the first game. “I try to be as versatile as possible.” He scored 30 points and grabbed 13 rebounds across two games at Chase Center, getting to play almost every position and even being asked to play the part of primary ballhandler. With the Warriors as thin on the wing as they are – even if LeBron James decides to come to the Bay Area – Lendeborg will likely be asked to play substantial minutes right off the bat. “We’re trying to get him reps at handling the ball to prepare him for the season,” Robinson said. “It’s a mismatch when you have a 6-9 guy with his size profile that can handle and read a defense, so I think he can definitely be in those positions in the regular season.” Lajae Jones could use some time in Santa Cruz Jones physically looks like an NBA player. The second round pick is 6-foot-7 and can get his head at the rim on alley-oop dunks. He has impressed Robinson and the other coaches with his understanding of the game and ability to make reads. But after three games of summer league ball at Chase Center, it is obvious that Jones could use some seasoning in Santa Cruz. He finished 4 of 18 from the floor as he struggled to create separation against summer league competition. The physical tools and a nice lefty shot also came with an equal number of plays that showed that the 22-year-old needs more reps at a lower level of competition before he is asked to play against LeBron James and the other elite forwards in the league. Even if Jones starts the season in the G-League, that is not a guarantee he will be down there for the rest of the season. With a roster as old as Golden State’s, there is a good chance he will need to play substantial minutes at some point. Richard has taken a step forward Will Richard can add his name to the list of second-year players who, with a season of NBA experience and numerous hours in the weight room with a strength-and-conditioning program, made a mockery of summer league. Unlike many of his second-year predecessors, Richard is not putting up stats by dominating the ball and using moves that would only work against unseasoned rookies or future La Liga all-stars. Instead, he is thriving in exactly the same role that he will need to succeed in for the NBA side. Using his added muscle and strength, Richard has finished at a high rate around the rim on cuts, blasted past defenses in transition, and knocked down his corner 3-pointers. That is saying nothing of his defensive dominance. After taking his lumps against Devin Booker, Scottie Barnes and Jalen Brunson, taking the ball away from the John Elmores or Ja’Kobie Gillespies of the world looked easy for Richard. Do not be surprised if the Warriors, having already seen enough, decide to shut Richard down midway through Las Vegas. Same can be said for fellow NBA veterans Malevy Leons and LJ Cryer. Other summer league notables - Do not be surprised if centers Graham Ike and Lachlan Olbrich earn roster spots in Santa Cruz. Olbrich played for the Bulls as a rookie last season and scored 40 points for the Warriors in three games at Chase Center and made 16 of 21 shots. Ike terrorized local teams as a Gonzaga standout, and started all three games for the Warriors at the California Classic while looking strong around the rim. - Deivon Smith starred for Santa Cruz last season and did a nice job of showing his vision and playmaking chops in Summer League. He dished out 11 assists, a team-high. - Chance McMillian is trying to go from a fun hometown story to a real NBA prospect. The Vallejo product scored in double figures in all three games, balancing on- and off-ball responsibilities as a 6-foot-3 combo guard who grew up idolizing Baron Davis and Steph Curry. - While most of the Warriors’ top players played at Chase Center, the organization sent a second “Blue” team to Sacramento. Former Wisconsin star Nick Boyd scored 12 points per game for the Blue team.