Mike Dunleavy Jr. reveals Warriors’ plans for No. 11 pick in 2026 NBA Draft

The Warriors may not know who will be available when they’re on the clock next week, but general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. made one thing clear Wednesday: Golden State believes it is in a strong position to add an impact player with the No. 11 overall pick.

Speaking during his annual pre-draft media availability, Dunleavy repeatedly praised the depth of the 2026 NBA Draft and expressed confidence that the Warriors can find a player capable of contributing immediately.

“I think we’ll get a really good player at 11,” Dunleavy said. “This is a really good draft to be in, especially at 11.”

Those comments are particularly notable given several prospects linked to Golden State in recent mock drafts, including Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg.

Lendeborg, 24, appears to check many of the boxes Dunleavy outlined Wednesday. The former Michigan star led the Wolverines to a national championship while averaging 14.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. A consensus All-American, he has been praised for his versatility, defensive toughness and ability to impact winning.

Dunleavy specifically pushed back against concerns surrounding older prospects, noting that NIL and the transfer portal have fundamentally changed how teams evaluate draft age.

“We’re just in a different age where there’s more older guys that have stayed in the draft,” Dunleavy said. “Teams are much more open to drafting older players.”

That could benefit prospects like Lendeborg, who spent time at Arizona Western and UAB before transferring to Michigan. Despite being one of the oldest lottery candidates, some scouts view him as a late bloomer after he didn’t begin playing organized basketball until age 15.

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That said, Dunleavy pointed toward the need to get younger with team leaders Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green all over the age of 35. Curry and Butler both missed over half the season due to injury

“Yeah, I mean, we obviously would prefer to get younger.” he said.

Dunleavy also emphasized that the Warriors are looking beyond positional fit.

“Frankly, we need everything,” he said. “We’ll take whoever we feel is the best player.”

That philosophy aligns with a prospect such as Lendeborg, whose combination of rebounding, passing and defensive versatility. Evan Webeck of the California Post compared him to NBA veteran OG Anunoby.

The Warriors also hold the No. 54 pick and have found success drafting late-round contributors in recent years. But the focus remains on No. 11, the franchise’s highest draft selection since Jonathan Kuminga was taken seventh overall in 2021.

While Dunleavy reiterated that “everything is on the table” regarding trades, his comments strongly suggested Golden State expects to leave draft night with at least one new young piece.

“I feel pretty confident that we will draft a player,” Dunleavy said.

And if the Warriors are serious about finding someone who can help immediately while still fitting their long-term plans, prospects like Lendeborg may be exactly what they’re looking for.