Yaxel Lendeborg Drops Sly Cameron Boozer Referee Dig After Warriors' Win

Yaxel Lendeborg drops sly Cameron Boozer referee dig after Warriors' win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Draft position is a sensitive topic when it comes to NBA prospects.

Warriors first-round pick Yaxel Lendeborg had choice words when asked about Memphis Grizzlies No. 3 overall pick nd former college rival Cameron Boozer, after Golden State took down Memphis 94-90 in the NBA Summer League championship game at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center.

“I think about [revenge] every time I play him,” Lendeborg said of Boozer, whose Duke handed Lendeborg’s Michigan a loss in their regular-season meeting last season (h/t ESPN’s Ben Golliver). “Every game we play, them refs be saving him. … It is a competitive nature [with] everybody that gets drafted ahead of me.”

Lendeborg has shown great flashes of talent this summer, averaging 14.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game.

The Michigan alum had a fantastic summer, but Boozer wasn’t far behind. The former Blue Devil averaged 18.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. In their first matchup against one another, Lendeborg displayed his physicality against Boozer.

The Warriors are currently in limbo waiting for LeBron James to make a decision on where he’ll play next season. Lendeborg’s playing time could be impacted based on the outcome. Boozer, on the other hand, will be asked to come in and contribute right away in Memphis.

The Grizzlies traded Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers back in June. Memphis received veteran forward Jerami Grant, reserve wing Kris Murray, and cash considerations in the deal. This trade ended Morant’s seven-year tenure with the Grizzlies.

The Warriors had the second-oldest roster in the NBA last season, so Lendeborg brings much-needed youth to the franchise.

The 2026 NBA Draft class is projected to be one of the best in a long time. The 2003 draft was stacked, and this group of young talent is being compared to the year James, Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and Chris Bosh entered the league.

Time will tell which players will emerge as NBA stars, and both Lendeborg and Boozer have the potential to become great — with or without the referees.

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