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Yaxel Lendeborg projected to land with elite NBA team in post-lottery ESPN mock draft
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Yaxel Lendeborg could very well transition from one champion to another next month at the 2026 NBA Draft.
In ESPN’s initial post-lottery mock draft, writer Jeremy Woo projected the former Michigan star to be selected No. 12 overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Oklahoma City is currently the most complete team in basketball, and the discussion really isn’t all that debatable. The Thunder won the NBA title last season and have yet to lose this postseason as they look to complete the back-to-back.
They’ll be good for a long time, too. The Thunder own 3 first round picks this year, 3 first-round picks next year and a first-round pick in 2028. That’s an embarrassment of riches, and it means they can absolutely afford to take a swing at an older, more refined prospect like Lendeborg with the No. 12 pick.
Lendeborg can do a little bit of everything. He shot 37% from 3 at a high volume, 64% from inside the 3-point arc and 82% at the free throw line with impressive athleticism and enough size to contribute defensively at the next level. He can pass and averaged just under 7 rebounds per game while leading the Wolverines to a national title last season. In other words, he knows how to win.
Sounds like a good addition for a team that does nothing but win these days.
Ethan Stone was an editor for his student newspaper at the University of Tennessee and is now a News Manager for Saturday Tradition.