Even after selecting Yaxel Lendeborg, the Golden State Warriors still have big business to take care of in the second round of the 2026 NBA draft.
Following the stunning Lendeborg pickup at No. 11, the Warriors own one more selection later in the evening: the 54th overall pick. Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. is expected to use the draft asset unless he is blown away by a trade offer. This means Golden State will have plenty of intriguing under-the-radar talent available to further bolster the roster.
[Here’s a look at some of the more intriguing sleeper picks for the Warriors to consider, heading into Day 2.
Aaron Nkrumah
As a highly energetic 3-and-D prospect who does a little bit of everything, Aaron Nkrumah is already turning heads. He is a highly disruptive player who isn’t afraid to get into the battle on both ends of the floor.
He currently projects as a late second-round pick, which puts him right in the range of the Warriors’ radar. Golden State might just take a chance on his upside; if he can find another level as a consistent shooter or develop a bit more creativity as a playmaker, there could be a serious diamond in the rough here.
Jack Kayil
Jack Kayil showed that he can be a solid pro while playing in Germany. NBA teams may value Kayil more than the public does. He has good size, high intelligence on and off the ball, and excels at attacking closeouts. He also does an excellent job of proving himself as an underrated pick-and-roll navigator.
The 6’5″ guard averaged 12.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists for Alba Berlin in Germany’s top league. However, he projects to go somewhere around the 30-to-40 range. If the Warriors want to make this signing happen, they might need to trade up a few places to get him.
Richie Saunders
One of the most skilled players in the draft, Richie Saunders has shown the potential to dazzle at times, but there are moments he becomes ineffective. He was projected to go in the 40s but dropped due to a torn ACL.
Saunders is an excellent spot-up shooter and has a good mid-range game as well. He can set the tone offensively, putting defenders on their heels with his handle. If he can learn to play with a bit more consistent effort, he could be a legitimately dangerous NBA-level wing.
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