Mavericks have a legitimate answer to their P.J. Washington problem in the NBA Draft

Perhaps the most disappointing development of the Dallas Mavericks’ season was the clunky fit between Cooper Flagg and P.J. Washington. While Flagg cemented himself as Dallas’ franchise cornerstone during a tremendous rookie campaign, Washington struggled to consistently complement him, all while remaining under contract through 2030. This is a problem for a team looking to return to the playoffs while building around their 19-year-old phenom.

That disconnect could eventually push Dallas toward finding Washington’s long-term replacement in the NBA Draft, and one rapidly rising prospect may already fit the bill. With new team president Masai Ujiri now helping shape the Mavericks’ vision, Yaxel Lendeborg is quickly emerging as a name to watch thanks to his two-way versatility and surging draft stock.

Lendeborg was recently mocked to go to the Mavericks at pick No. 8 by CBS Sports, and he is the type of player Ujiri typically targets. He loves lengthy wings who can switch on defense and bring versatility, and Lendeborg fits that mold beautifully.

The fact that Dallas is beginning to target some wings in mock drafts shows an expectation that Ujiri could look to go this direction in the lottery rather than selecting a guard, giving someone like Lendeborg the chance to replace Washington if Dallas drafts him.

Yaxel Lendeborg’s winding road to top NBA prospect

Lendeborg is coming off a stellar collegiate career that ended with a National Championship at Michigan. But despite the success, the 23-year-old forward took an unconventional path to reach this point.

Lendeborg began his collegiate career at Arizona Western, a junior college in Yuma, during the 2020-21 season. As a freshman, he averaged just 6.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.

His production improved the following year, rising to 12.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per contest — solid numbers, though not enough to generate major Division I attention. But during his third season, Lendeborg finally broke out, averaging 17.2 points and 13.0 rebounds per game and ultimately earning a scholarship offer from UAB.

Once he reached the Division I level, Lendeborg quickly showcased his all-around skill set. Across two seasons at UAB, the 6-foot-9 forward averaged 15.8 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game. After his senior season, Lendeborg tested the NBA Draft waters before ultimately withdrawing and transferring to Michigan.

Michigan breakout cements Lendeborg into first-round conversation

Transferring to Michigan proved to be the right move for Lendeborg. He helped lead the Wolverines to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament while collecting multiple conference honors and earning AP First-Team All-American recognition.

During his lone season at Michigan, the versatile forward averaged 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.2 blocks, and 1.7 made three-pointers per game.

As a result, Lendeborg has rapidly climbed draft boards following his standout senior season. His combination of shotmaking, playmaking, rebounding, and defensive versatility has positioned him firmly in the top-10 conversation.

Nonetheless, Lendeborg’s rise hasn’t just been gradual — it’s been accelerating in real time. CBS Sports’ latest mock draft even projects him as a top-10 selection, a significant jump that reflects just how quickly his stock has climbed in recent weeks. And, with Dallas projected to pick in the 8-to-10 range, the Mavericks are almost certainly doing extensive homework on the accomplished forward.

Why Lendeborg fits Masai Ujiri’s ideal NBA forward blueprint

However, Dallas’ potential interest in Lendeborg likely extends beyond his projected draft range. The forward’s unique physical profile and versatile skill set closely align with the type of prospect new team president Ujiri has historically valued.

Looking at two of Ujiri’s most successful forwards — Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes — both entered the league at roughly 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds, nearly identical to Lendeborg’s physical profile.

While Siakam didn’t initially project as an on-ball creator in the same way Barnes did, he eventually developed into one at the NBA level. Lendeborg carries a similar long-term projection as a versatile, do-it-all forward.

That archetype is exactly what could make Lendeborg so appealing to Ujiri. He would also complement Flagg well stylistically, as the 19-year-old thrives as an explosive downhill attacker despite his slimmer frame.

Lendeborg, meanwhile, brings more brute and projects as a more connective offensive piece, capable of spacing the floor, moving the ball, and impacting the game without needing heavy on-ball usage. Together, the two would form a highly versatile frontcourt pairing.

The Flagg-Washington pairing is not working in Dallas

But… wait, what happens to Washington? The 6-foot-7 forward is signed through 2030 and plays a role somewhat similar to what Lendeborg projects. He’s versatile, physical, and at his best playing off the ball.

The biggest difference is that Washington isn’t nearly as connective of a passer or as advanced a playmaker as Lendeborg projects to be.

Yet the most concerning part was how poorly the Flagg-Washington pairing performed. The duo posted a -9.7 net rating, the third-worst mark among Dallas’ 25 most-used two-man lineups. Washington also experienced a statistical decline during his second full season with the Mavericks, including a six-percentage-point drop in his three-point shooting.

Thus, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the Mavericks may eventually need to find a long-term successor to Washington. While moving on from him outright isn’t realistic, nor necessarily advisable, exploring the trade market could be a viable path if the right opportunity emerges. He remains a highly effective player in the proper lineup context.

Draft age concerns complicate Lendeborg’s value

That leads us to question: why not pursue this path and draft Lendeborg while exploring a potential move for Washington? The primary concern, however, is age, which is the very reason Lendeborg isn’t viewed as a top-tier prospect in this class.

He will enter the NBA at 24 years old, meaning his developmental runway is significantly shorter than most lottery selections. In fact, had he been on the Mavericks roster a season ago, he wouldn’t have ranked among their five youngest players. As a result, teams may feel they already have a clearer read on his long-term upside compared to younger, more projectable prospects.

Still, the mid-lottery range where Dallas is projected to pick is largely dominated by guards, with few forwards offering Lendeborg’s two-way versatility. That positional scarcity makes him even more appealing.

And with the newly-appointed Ujiri’s track record of prioritizing switchable, physically gifted forwards, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Lendeborg emerge as Washington’s long-term replacement when the Mavericks are on the clock June 23.

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