Warriors want a star but don't want to trade pick in 2026 NBA Draft

It's the offseason for most teams around the NBA and squads are meeting with draft prospects at the combine in Chicago.

While some teams are weighing their options, others are considering whether they will use their pick and select a draftee or trade the pick for other assets.

That was one question looming around the Golden State Warriors once the No. 11 pick was conveyed to them in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft (June 23 and 24).

The Warriors have been linked to multiple teams in potential trades for star players to pair with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler. Some of the names that have surfaced as potential targets are the Los Angeles Clippers' Kawhi Leonard and Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Warriors are going after those guys, or players of their caliber. Golden State wants to bring in another star ... but not at the expense of their No. 11 pick. The team has no plans to part ways with their draft pick, according to ESPN's Marc J. Spears.

"The Warriors have that 11th pick and people wondering can they get in the Giannis mix. From what I'm being told today from several people, the Warriors like to keep that pick," Spears said during a May 14 appearance on ESPN's "NBA Today."

Who could the Warriors draft at No. 11?

With the No. 11 pick, Spears said maybe the Warriors can get Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg, a 6-foot-9 swing forward who helped the Wolverines win the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament. Whether the Warriors will have that chance, or take him, will be decided in six weeks.

Here's who draft experts predict the Warriors will select with the No. 11 pick:

USA TODAY Sports: Karim López

• TEAM: International (Australia)
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Mexico
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• DRAFT AGE: 19

"Karim López had a low usage rate and played few minutes than other players in this range while playing against pros but was still very productive for the NBL Next Stars program in Australia. The Mexican-born forward is physically gifted, athletic, and universally seen as the top prospect from this class currently playing overseas. He exploded for 32 points (11-of-13 FG) with eight rebounds, two blocks and one steal against Melbourne on Jan. 30. Despite his age, he played a huge role for his team defensively for a team that won the NBL Ignite Cup." – Bryan Kalbrosky, USA TODAY

ESPN: Karim López

• TEAM: International (Australia)
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Mexico
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• DRAFT AGE: 19

"The Warriors had long odds and no luck in their first draft lottery since 2021. They have an important decision to make with this pick, as they weigh the long-term health of the roster versus maximizing the team's competitive chances with Stephen Curry still playing at a high level. Coach Steve Kerr agreed to an extension Saturday and presumably didn't sign on for a rebuild. Selecting a younger player such as Lopez, who has the experience to potentially slot in early on his rookie deal, might help mesh the short- and long-term goals. Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan) is another player who will draw strong consideration here.

"The top player in a thin international prospect class, Lopez has a chance to help himself in pre-draft workouts, where teams will gain a better sense of his physical traits and skill level coming off a positive year in the NBL. Showing progress as a perimeter shooter in those settings would help his case to sneak into the top 10." – Jeremy Woo, ESPN

CBS Sports: Aday Mara

• TEAM: Michigan
• POSITION: Center
• BORN: Spain
• HEIGHT: 7-3
• DRAFT AGE: 21

"Mara kept getting better as the college season went on and ultimately led Michigan to a national championship. At 7-foot-3, he's a giant, even by NBA standards, and a tremendous rim protector. He's also got sneaky mobility, good hands, real passing ability, and provides vertical spacing. With Steve Kerr returning next season, the Warriors' style of play will be staying largely the same, and Mara's facilitating ability fits that." – Adam Finkelstein, CBS Sports

Yahoo Sports: Karim López

• TEAM: International (Australia)
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Mexico
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• DRAFT AGE: 19

"It's been a brutal year. The Warriors lost Jimmy Butler to a torn ACL and Moses Moody to a torn patellar tendon, watched Steph Curry miss 27 games with knee issues, and finally gave up on Jonathan Kuminga. Golden State has been desperately searching for a young star to extend Curry's championship window, and bridge into whatever comes next. It will be harder to do that here after not getting lucky in the lottery. But maybe the Warriors will still find a hit prospect. López is the best basketball prospect Mexico has ever produced. He left Hermosillo at 14 to play professionally in Barcelona, then at 17 moved to Auckland, New Zealand, where he shined for two years in the NBL Next Stars program. He checks a lot of boxes with his excellent physical tools, a hardnosed approach, and a well-rounded ability to defend multiple positions, handle the ball, and a blossoming shot. But he’s thus far more of a jack of all trades since his jumper runs hot and cold and he lacks the burst to blow by defenders off the bounce. Regardless, not every player is drafted with stardom in mind. López has all the requisite skills to enhance a star teammate as a key piece on a winning team — and the Warriors could be looking to win now after Steve Kerr re-signed on a two-year deal. And sometimes those players with high floors end up proving their ceiling is a lot higher than you think." – Kevin O'Connor, Yahoo Sports