The Golden State Warriors’ newest rookie, Yaxel Lendeborg, hasn’t even played a single NBA minute, but he’s already at the center of a hilarious and high-stakes hazing campaign orchestrated by the team’s three biggest stars. Jimmy Butler, Stephen Curry, and Draymond Green have wasted no time trolling the 22-year-old forward, turning his arrival into a social media spectacle that is equal parts brotherly love and competitive fire.
The 𝒹𝓇𝒶𝓂𝒶 erupted after a video surfaced of Lendeborg’s introductory press conference, where the rookie made a confession that immediately caught the attention of the Warriors’ locker room. When asked about his feelings toward Curry, Lendeborg admitted he was a Kyrie Irving fan during the 2016 NBA Finals and openly rooted against the Warriors. “I used to hate Steph Curry,” Lendeborg said, grinning. “But now that I’m on the same team, it’s a full circle moment. I’m excited to learn from him.”
Curry, ever the gracious superstar, responded on Instagram with a message that was both welcoming and pointed. “Let’s go. Welcome to the Bay. I’m going to work hard to be your new favorite player,” Curry wrote. Lendeborg quickly replied, “Man, we all good, man,” and added, “Once the rivalry ended, I loved him right away.” But the damage was done. The rookie’s past allegiance had been 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓸𝓼𝓮𝓭, and the veterans pounced.
Butler, who joined the Warriors in a blockbuster trade earlier this season, was the first to escalate the banter during a media availability. When asked about Lendeborg’s personality and potential, Butler smirked and referenced a quote from the rookie that had been circulating. “He’s on one,” Butler said, shaking his head. “He got to cross that bridge at one point in time though. He got to run in and out. So, it’ll be fun for him to get a hold of him.” Butler then leaned into the humor, noting Lendeborg’s toughness and even joking about their shared love of dominoes. “I bet he played dominoes, too. So, I’m going to crack his head in that,” Butler added with a laugh.
The real fireworks, however, came from Draymond Green, whose rivalry with Lendeborg is rooted in more than just rookie hazing. Green, a Michigan State legend, and Lendeborg, a Michigan alum, are now teammates despite their college allegiances. The tension escalated when Lendeborg revealed he wanted to wear number 23, the same number Green has worn for years with the Warriors. “My other number was number three, but can’t do that one either,” Lendeborg said, referencing Curry’s iconic jersey. “There’s no amount of money to pay him.”
Green, who is currently in the south of France, fired back on Instagram with a story tagging Lendeborg. “At 6:00 a.m. from the south of France, your coach not like mines. Very cute six-month ring dough. Go green,” Green wrote, taunting the rookie about his college coach and Michigan’s lack of a recent national title. Lendeborg, undeterred, responded with a message of his own. “Don’t worry guys, we’ll get a go blue by the end of the season. 2 and 0 within #dusty for president,” he posted, referencing a potential head-to-head win over Green’s Spartans.
The rookie also liked an Instagram post that showed a photoshopped image of Green reacting to Lendeborg’s college ties, with a caption referencing former Michigan guard Jordan Poole, who was famously punched by Green during a practice in 2022. The post read, “Draymond Green when he realizes Yaxel went to the same college as Jordan Poole,” with an image of Green throwing a punch. The gesture was a clear nod to the team’s infamous incident, but it also signaled that Lendeborg is ready to hold his own in the Warriors’ notoriously competitive locker room.
Despite the relentless trolling, the Warriors’ veterans have made it clear that they see immense potential in their rookie. Butler praised Lendeborg’s toughness and versatility, saying, “He’s going to come in and be able to help right away. He’s going to fit in. He’s got the mold to do everything and do everything well. Guard everybody.” Butler also emphasized that the team welcomes Lendeborg’s outspoken personality. “All personalities are welcome. We need to be loud. We need you to have that energy.”
The chemistry between the Warriors’ stars and their rookie is already electric, a testament to the team’s unique culture. Lendeborg, a dynamic forward known for his defensive versatility and high basketball IQ, is expected to play a significant role in Golden State’s rotation this season. His ability to guard multiple positions and his relentless motor have drawn comparisons to a young Draymond Green, a parallel that only adds to the intrigue of their budding rivalry.
For now, the banter is all in good fun, but the stakes are real. Lendeborg is stepping into a locker room led by three future Hall of Famers who have won four championships together. The rookie’s confidence, while admirable, will be tested daily by veterans who have seen it all. Curry’s playful challenge to become Lendeborg’s “new favorite player” is just the beginning. Green’s college taunts and Butler’s dominoes threat are reminders that the Warriors’ standards are sky-high.
As the season approaches, all eyes will be on Lendeborg to see how he handles the pressure. His response to the trolling has already won him fans, but the real test will come on the court. If he can back up his bravado with performance, he may just earn the respect of his new teammates. And if he can’t, the veterans will be waiting, ready to remind him that in the NBA, talk is cheap.
For now, the Warriors’ rookie is enjoying the ride, embracing the chaos, and proving that he is ready for the spotlight. The Bay Area is buzzing, and Yaxel Lendeborg is at the center of it all.
