Yaxel Lendeborg, fresh off winning a national championship with Michigan, expressed interest in joining the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2026 NBA draft. He responded positively to a fan's suggestion during an autograph signing event.
Apr 6, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) celebrates after their win against the UConn Huskies in the national championship of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament between the and the Michigan Wolverines at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Even though the Oklahoma City Thunder are about to start their hopeful back-to-back journey as the NBA playoffs start, the draft cycle remains an endless loop. Only a week after he won a national championship, Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg showed his cards a little.
At a fan event signing autographs, a Thunder fan egged him on by saying he should join their squad. Lendebor entertained it by admitting it's not a half-bad idea. Depending on how the LA Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers do in the play-in tournament, they could be gifted another lottery pick.
"I hope so," Lendeborg said. "I hope so."
This happens just a week after Lendeborg teased Thunder fans a bit about his desire to join the reigning NBA champions. In an interview with SB Nation, Landeborg explained that his improved outside jumper could help someone like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Quite the guy to name-drop.
“(The NBA) wanted to see a lot more three-pointers and a lot more versatility in my defense,” Lendeborg said. “I tried to be more of three, because in the NBA, I’m not gonna be the superstar. I’m gonna be playing next to somebody like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and he doesn’t need me to score for him. He needs me to get stops. I just tried to figure out my role and do whatever I can to get there.”
Sticking in the college world, Lendeborg's decision to transfer to Michigan has paid huge dividends. He had a unique route to get there as he spent a couple of years at small-school UAB. The 23-year-old averaged 15.1 points on 51.5% shooting, 6.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists on the Wolverines. He shot 37.2% from 3 on 4.5 attempts. He won Big Ten Player of the Year.
We'll see where the Thunder land in the 2026 NBA draft. The range is pretty wide, if we're being honest. For right now, the NBA playoffs should be everybody's top priority. That doesn't mean you can't spend time thinking about Lendeborg's fit and how he'd boost OKC's frontcourt, though.
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: 'I hope so': Yaxel Lendeborg wishes to land on Thunder in 2026 NBA draft
Yaxel Lendeborg expressed interest in joining the Thunder, stating, 'I hope so' when a fan suggested it during an event.
Yaxel Lendeborg celebrated a national championship victory with the Michigan Wolverines in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
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