The X-Factor for the Warriors in 2026

News ArticlePublishedJul 30, 2026 at 04:58 PM EDTEven though the NBA season is a few months away, it's certainly not too early to start thinking about each team's x-factor.The Golden State Warriors are frankly in a tricky spot. They still have Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, two players who helped define an era of basketball, but they also know the clock is ticking. Finding players who can help now while also building toward the future is the challenge.Yaxel Lendeborg could be the kind of pick that helps with both. Oh, and the fun banter between him and Green is just icing on the cake.The Warriors selected the Michigan forward with the No. 11 pick after he played a major role in the Wolverines' national championship run. What stood out wasn't just one skill. It was the way he impacted th