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3h ago

Yaxel Lendeborg Wins Summer League Finals MVP After Carrying Warriors to Title

The Finals MVP strengthens his case for early rotation on a Warriors roster short on wings, requiring the team to manage his dynamic with Draymond Green.

Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg, coming off an NCAA championship season at Michigan, helped Golden State beat Memphis in the NBA Summer League title game  Sunday in Las Vegas. 
Warriors guard LJ Cryer plays against the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA Summer League championship Sunday in Las Vegas. 
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Golden State Warriors summer league coach Khalid Robinson, left, celebrates with Will Richard after the team’s win over the Memphis Grizzlies in the championship game Sunday in Las Vegas. 

Overview

  • Lendeborg delivered a 21-point, 10-rebound performance to earn Finals MVP as the Golden State Warriors defeated the Memphis Grizzlies for the Summer League title in a comeback win on Sunday.
  • His play in Las Vegas reinforced assessments that he is 'NBA ready' because of his 6-foot-9 size, 7-foot-4 wingspan and all-around skill set that fits a plug-and-play wing role.
  • Lendeborg’s outspoken postgame quotes and an earlier public exchange with veteran Draymond Green have drawn attention to locker-room chemistry and are now a front-office concern as training camp approaches.
  • Team coaches and analysts highlighted that the Warriors’ summer roster featured multiple NCAA champions, a winning habit that helped the team in Las Vegas but does not guarantee regular-season impact.
  • Lendeborg’s nontraditional path through junior college, UAB and Michigan and his older rookie age are cast as maturity assets, and the next steps to watch are how Golden State integrates him into minutes plans, the G League and training camp rotations.