Warriors Win 2026 Summer League as No. 1 Pick AJ Dybantsa Earns A-

Q: Is Yaxel Lendeborg's MVP win a sign of a draft steal or just a summer flash in the pan for the Warriors?

Yaxel Lendeborg’s Summer League MVP looks more like evidence of a strong, NBA-ready pick than a mere Las Vegas mirage, but it is still too early to call him a true draft steal. The case for substance is strong. Lendeborg, the Warriors’ No. 11 pick, did not just post numbers; he drove winning. He averaged 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.2 stocks on solid efficiency, then finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds in the title game as Golden State won the championship. That production matches his pre-draft profile: an older, polished prospect with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, defensive versatility, passing feel and enough shooting to fit alongside stars. His college résumé was also unusually strong, including an NCAA title, Big Ten Player of the Year honors and All-America recognition at Michigan. That said, “draft steal” should be used carefully. Lendeborg was the 11th pick, not a late first-round flyer or overlooked second-rounder. He was drafted largely because teams expected immediate contribution, and his age — 23, turning 24 before the season — means he should look more prepared than many younger rookies in Summer League. The better reading is that the Warriors likely got exactly what they wanted: a high-floor, plug-and-play forward-center who can help quickly. If he carries this two-way impact into the regular season against NBA rotations, then the “steal” label will become much more credible.

3 articles · Updated · Bleacher Report · Jul 21

Golden State closed the 2026 NBA Summer League with the title, led by No. 11 pick Yaxel Lendeborg, who earned an A after averaging 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists in the Warriors' run.
Lendeborg's strong two-way showing capped a rookie class that largely met expectations at the top: No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer received an A, No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa an A-, No. 6 pick Mikel Brown Jr. an A-, and No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson an A.
Dybantsa averaged 25 points in two Las Vegas games despite shooting 1-for-11 from three, while Boozer posted 18.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists and helped Memphis reach the championship game.
The rougher evaluations went to No. 7 pick Darius Acuff Jr., graded C- after shooting 36.5% with 4.7 turnovers per game, and No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson, graded C+ despite 20.3 points because he shot 30.8% and had 14 turnovers against 12 assists.
The final grades underscored how Summer League sharpened early narratives around the 2026 class, highlighting NBA-ready polish for some lottery picks and exposing efficiency, decision-making and physicality concerns for others.