What they're saying about five frontcourt Warriors prospects in 2026 NBA Draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Holding their first lottery pick since 2021, No. 11 overall, the Warriors roll into the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday night after spending six weeks exploring every conceivable option, from staying at 11 to moving back in the first round to trading out.
Their broad pre-draft preparation lines up with general manager Mike Dunleavy’s concession last week that they “need everything.”
More than 30 players, spanning all five positions, have gone through interviews and workouts because they might be available at 11 or later in the first or second round.
We contacted several league and team sources to get an idea of how Golden State’s process has played out since May 10, when its lottery position was determined.
Though the Warriors have closely examined numerous perimeter players, most sources believe that – barring an elite guard dropping on draft night – they’ll seek frontcourt help.
Here are some pros and cons of five frontcourt players the Warriors have evaluated that could be available should they stay at 11, with two comments on each from league/team sources:
Chris Cenac Jr. (F, Houston)
Pros: Cenac is an elite athlete whose impressive performance at the NBA draft combine opened a few more eyes around the league, including those of the Warriors. At 6-foot-11, with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, the rangy 19-year-old has the tools to be effective in the paint and outside it, including shooting beyond the arc. Having heard the whispers of doubters, he’ll enter the league with a chip on his shoulder.
Cons: His defense is uneven, his offense spotty and more inefficient that a team would like from someone of his stature. The general belief is that he has some talent but is going to need a couple years to find his place in the league. Some scouts like him, some don’t. He’s an upside pick, and the Warriors haven’t had great success when going that route in the lottery.
Comment: “He might develop into a fantastic NBA player. Might. But I’ve heard that the Warriors don’t love him, and I get it. Unless something changes before the draft, my guess is they’ll pass on him. They might regret it someday, but I think they’ll take that chance.”
Comment 2: “Pretty sure he’ll be there if the Warriors stay at 11. He’s got a lot of talent, but he’s not as refined as guys like Yaxel (Lendeborg). Going to Houston probably helped him because he got coaches. He still could benefit from more reps.”
Morez Johnson Jr. (PF, Michigan)
Pros: Effort and toughness are skills at which Johnson is elite, and that was necessary during Michigan’s run to the national championship. He’s a terrific athlete that has reliable hands and won’t be outworked or outfought. At 6-foot-9, 250 pounds, with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, he can play center or power forward, offering excellent defense while also providing vertical spacing on offense. At 20 years old, with 70 games of collegiate experience, Johnson already can help an NBA team but still has room for growth.
Cons: Johnson’s offense is relatively raw. He doesn’t have a dependable shot, and doesn’t create much for himself or others. Some of that may be due to overall talent on Michigan’s roster, but his lack of scoring impact is why most mock drafts project him in the middle of the first round, rather than in the lottery.
Comment: “He had an impressive workout (with Golden State). His offense is limited, but I believe it will improve. He can make threes, but his college teams didn’t need that. If you want a big who brings energy every night, especially on defense, (the Warriors) could do a lot worse.”
Comment 2: “Talented dude. He listens and learns. He has the size to play some 5 but really is a power forward. He can develop corner threes, but he doesn’t need to. He’ll just go get the ball. He’s an old-school 4 but also is a lob threat.”
Yaxel Lendeborg (F, Michigan)
Pros: The Warriors need wings. As the fulcrum of a stacked national champion, Lendeborg is as ready for the NBA as anyone in the draft. At 6-foot-9, 235 pounds with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, he has the mental makeup and physical attributes to defend four positions. He rebounds, passes, shoots well from three levels and has the kind of “feel” the Warriors prioritize. He’s smart, versatile and plays with force, determined to make a positive impact. Superior “glue guy.”
Cons: His workout was very good but not mind-blowing, I’m told. He is a good, but not elite, athlete without the handle and scoring repertoire of, say, a Kevin Durant. He turns 24 in September, making him “lottery-pick old,” but I’m told the Warriors’ need for immediate contributors offsets that factor. He won’t be a franchise player for an NBA contender, but could be a high-quality starter.
Comment: “I know (the Warriors) liked what they saw in his workout. He’s not going to take you to the promised land, but he’ll give you a lot of things that will help you get there.”
Comment 2: “He’s a plug-and-play guy. He does everything. He can initiate offense, shoot threes and post up. He’ll adapt to the NBA pretty quickly. (The Warriors) need help on the wings. If Yaxel is there and (the Warriors) don’t take him, I’d wonder why.”
Aday Mara (C, Michigan)
Pros: With so many legitimate big men in the Western Conference, size really does matter. At 7-foot-4, 260 pounds, with a 7-foot-6 wingspan, Mara brings plenty. He’s comfortable in the paint, has dependable hands and is a good finisher at the rim. All of which appeals to the Warriors, who have deficiencies across the board up front. The 21-year-old would be their most imposing rim protector since Andrew Bogut.
Cons: He’s not particularly nimble and would struggle to be switchable defending on the perimeter. Opponents would attack him in pick-and-roll, forcing him to into compromising positions. He’d need to be spoon-fed on offense. His instincts, which are a positive, might not be good enough to offset his lack of athleticism in the NBA.
Comment: “He might go before 11, but if (the Warriors) stay at 11 and he’s there, I think that’s got to be the pick. Even over Yaxel. It’s the pick I would make if I were in that front office”
Comment 2: “(The Warriors) need size and have needed for years. They keep sending Draymond (Green) out at the 5, and it’s time to get beyond that. Mara isn’t perfect, but if (Memphis big man) Zach Edey can make an impact, I have no doubt Mara can.”
Hannes Steinbach (C/F, Washington)
Pros: Based on film study, it’s easy to understand the comparisons with Kings big man Domantas Sabonis. Steinbach, however, seems more willing to engage in physicality, which explains the comps to OKC’s Isaiah Hartenstein. At 6-foot-11, 250 pounds, with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, he is a voracious rebounder (as a freshman last season, he led college basketball in that category), which should translate to the NBA. He turned 20 last month but will be helped by his experience in German pro hoops.
Cons: The Warriors have an urgent need for athleticism, and Steinbach won’t address that. He’s active enough but will have trouble defending even moderate levels of quickness from more mobile big men. Though his 3-point shooting looked promising in his workout, it’s long been proven that is not an accurate barometer what takes place in games.
Comment: “He does a little bit of everything. You can see the Euro part of his game. His physicality, though, he runs into people. He’s not scared. I like that about him. He can pass and rebound. He can improve his shot, but it’s not broken.”
Comment 2: “I actually believe he can be a pretty good defender. His instincts are good, he has good awareness and his fundamentals are better than most. I’d understand why any team that needs size in the paint, including Golden State, would have interest.”
For those wondering about Tennessee’s Nate Ament, the water between him and the Warriors was lukewarm. The general belief is that he’s a risky project.
As for guards, Ament’s teammate Cameron Carr was mentioned more than any other.
