Summer League provides Golden State with their first real opportunity to assess whether Lendeborg can translate his college success to the professional level and contribute alongside established stars such as Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green. The goal is to determine if he can bring immediate value or emerge as a long-term contributor off the bench or in a flexible two-way role.
Warriors Summer League Schedule and How to Watch
Golden State’s Summer League slate begins with a matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, followed by three additional games against teams expected to contend for postseason play. Here is the current schedule, with game dates, opponents, times in ET, venue, and the TV network airing each game:
– Thursday, July 9: Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors, 7:00 p.m., Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, ESPN
– Sunday, July 12: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Golden State Warriors, 6:00 p.m., Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Prime
– Tuesday, July 14: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors, 7:00 p.m., Cox Pavilion, Las Vegas, ESPN
– Thursday, July 16: New York Knicks vs. Golden State Warriors, 7:00 p.m., Cox Pavilion, Las Vegas, ESPN2
The league will later confirm each team’s fifth and final Summer League game after preliminary play concludes.
Yaxel Lendeborg Headlines the Warriors’ Young Core
Lendeborg’s rise has drawn considerable attention. The 6-foot-9 forward, weighing 241 pounds, transferred from UAB to Michigan, where he emerged as one of the top players in college basketball. At Michigan, he averaged 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, earning Big Ten Player of the Year honors and Consensus First-Team All-America recognition. He also helped the Wolverines reach the national championship game, underscoring his ability to contribute across multiple facets of the game. Scouts describe him as an “NBA-ready” versatile forward who can defend multiple positions, rebound effectively, and serve as a secondary playmaker, making him a potentially valuable piece for Golden State as they pursue on-court impact sooner rather than later.
The Warriors also selected Lajae Jones with the No. 54 overall pick. Jones, a 6-foot-7 wing who weighs 220 pounds, spent his college career at Florida State. He posted averages of 12.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game, showcasing size, defensive versatility, and shooting potential that makes him an intriguing developmental piece with 3-and-D upside.
Intriguing undrafted talent joins the fold
In addition to the early-round selections, Golden State has assembled a group of undrafted free agents aiming to earn training camp invitations and possibly two-way contracts. Among them is Graham Ike, a 23-year-old former Gonzaga standout, who headlines the Exhibit 10 signees. Ike posted 19.9 points and 8.0 rebounds per game last season, providing a traditional interior scoring option that could earn a two-way spot if his Las Vegas showing translates well to the pro level.
Other undrafted signees include Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd, who had a standout collegiate season with averages around 20.7 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.8 rebounds, along with solid shooting splits from the field and beyond the arc. DePaul wing CJ Gunn, who contributed 13.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game over two seasons with the Blue Demons, also joined Golden State’s Summer League group. These players enter Summer League with a clear objective: prove they belong in training camp discussions and potentially earn a two-way contract.
Opportunity to Earn Steve Kerr’s Trust
For Lendeborg, Summer League is about more than just making a professional debut. It represents the first real chance to show why the organization believes he can become a meaningful contributor under head coach Steve Kerr. Lendeborg will have to display consistency, decision-making, defense, and the ability to complement a championship-caliber roster with his versatility.
Jones, Ike, Boyd, Gunn, and the rest of the Undrafted cohort will also compete for opportunities beyond Las Vegas, striving to prove they deserve more than a temporary stint. The Warriors, who continue to push for the most out of their championship window, understand that every roster decision matters. Summer League becomes a crucial early testing ground for the franchise’s young players to demonstrate that they can help sustain their winning culture.
In the broader context, the Summer League performances can shape how Kerr rotates his lineups in the coming season and influence decisions on training camp invites and potential two-way contracts. As Golden State looks to maximize the remaining years of Curry’s prime, the evaluation process in Las Vegas is particularly important, with executives looking for players who can step into meaningful roles and contribute to sustained success.
With the Summer League underway, all eyes will be on Lendeborg and the Warriors’ young core as they navigate a challenging schedule and showcase their readiness for the NBA, aiming to turn potential into productive, game-ready contributions when the season arrives.
