The night of the 2026 NBA Draft became a memorable moment for the Golden State Warriors, not due to an initial successful acquisition, but because of their head coach's visceral reaction. According to recent reports, Steve Kerr audibly groaned when the Milwaukee Bucks selected guard Brayden Burries just before Oakland's selection turn. This frustration revealed the high level of confidence the organization had in the Arizona player and how the dynamic changed drastically within minutes.
The failed strategy behind the Draft
The Warriors entered the draft with a firm belief that they still had a real opportunity to secure one of their favorites. However, the Milwaukee Bucks selected Burries one pick before Golden State could act on the clock. ESPN's Anthony Slater detailed the tensions inside the 'war room' of the Warriors as they waited for their 11th overall selection. At that moment, president Joe Lacob and vice president Mike Dunleavy were immersed in an intense discussion about the best strategy to follow.
Milwaukee's unexpected twist
The strategic confusion was primarily due to the Bucks' prior moves. Before the draft, league executives believed Milwaukee would use their 10th pick to select shooting guard Nate Ament from Tennessee. However, the previous trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo also brought along the 13th overall pick, allowing the Bucks to alter their plans. Instead of waiting, they selected Burries in the tenth position and then added Ament three picks later.
The locker room reaction
Despite signals received around the eighth selection indicating that Burries would likely not reach them, optimism persisted. It was only when Milwaukee officially made the choice that Kerr's audible groan was heard in the room. This reaction underscores how much the executive body valued the young guard, who had physically worked out in San Francisco shortly before the event, as this newspaper reported in Jimmy Butler Honors Kyle Lowry's Retirement with Emotional Tribute.
The pivot to Yaxel Lendeborg
Faced with this loss, the Warriors were forced to pivot quickly. According to reports from ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel, the original plan was clear: secure Burries for a specific role. After seeing Atlanta and Dallas pass on him at the eighth and ninth positions, confidence grew until Milwaukee intervened. As a result, Golden State selected Yaxel Lendeborg with the 11th overall pick.
Implications for the future
Lendeborg was described by team sources as an obvious fit due to his size, defensive versatility, and winning mentality. Although there are questions about his age compared to other lottery prospects, the Warriors believe he can contribute immediately. Milwaukee's selection of Burries now remains one of the defining 'what if' moments of the 2026 draft process for Golden State.
