Michigan basketball: 3 replacements for Yaxel Lendeborg if he stays in the draft

michigan basketball: 3 replacements for yaxel lendeborg if he stays in the draft

with yaxel lendeborg testing the nba draft waters, michigan basketball faces the real possibility of entering the 2025-26 season without one of its most exciting offseason additions. lendeborg, a dynamic 6-foot-9 forward from uab, committed to the wolverines in april, bringing with him a stat-stuffed resume that turned heads across the country. he averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.7 steals last season — numbers that scream versatility and next-level talent.

however, his decision to remain in the nba draft could leave a significant gap in michigan’s frontcourt plans. new head coach dusty may, who already made waves by reloading the roster through the portal, may have to look inward — or potentially outward — to fill that spot. thankfully, the wolverines are in better shape than most when it comes to options. here are three names that could step up if lendeborg doesn’t return to ann arbor:

1. danny wolf — the rising big ten star

perhaps the most natural candidate to shoulder a bigger load in lendeborg’s absence is yale transfer danny wolf. the 7-footer made an immediate impact in the big ten last season, showing he could hang with — and dominate — the top-tier competition. wolf averaged 14.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting nearly 50% from the field. he also hit over 35% of his threes, giving the wolverines a rare floor-spacing center.

his skill set is quite different from lendeborg’s, but in a way that could benefit michigan’s system. where lendeborg thrives with athleticism and switchability, wolf brings a smoother offensive game with polished footwork and elite passing from the high post. in dusty may’s up-tempo, spacing-heavy scheme, wolf could flourish as a centerpiece.

expect wolf to be a consistent double-double threat, and potentially even push for big ten player of the year honors if he takes another step forward.

2. morez johnson jr. — the high-upside freshman

michigan also has a potential star-in-the-making in freshman morez johnson jr. originally committed to illinois, johnson flipped to michigan amid a flurry of late transfer portal activity. he comes in with a five-star pedigree, having dominated at thornton high school in illinois and at the eybl circuit, where he showed off his rebounding and rim-protecting instincts.

at 6-foot-9 and 255 pounds, johnson is physically ready for the college game. what he lacks in polish, he makes up for with raw athleticism and defensive timing. if lendeborg doesn’t return, johnson might be thrust into a bigger role than expected — but he has the tools to handle it.

his ability to protect the paint and run the floor could give michigan a dynamic frontcourt presence, especially when paired with a more offensively-oriented big like wolf or goldin.

3. vladislav goldin — the experienced enforcer

don’t overlook florida atlantic transfer vladislav goldin. the 7-foot-1 russian center followed coach dusty may to ann arbor and brings with him ncaa tournament experience and a reputation for being one of the toughest interior players in the country. goldin averaged 15.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game for fau last season.

he’s more of a traditional big — not a floor spacer like wolf or a switchable forward like lendeborg — but his toughness, post scoring, and screen-setting are vital pieces to any championship-caliber team. goldin could play a larger role than expected if lendeborg stays in the draft, especially against teams with imposing frontcourts.

given his familiarity with dusty may’s system and his proven track record in big games, goldin offers reliability and leadership, which will be crucial for a team full of new faces.

what’s next for michigan?

while losing lendeborg would certainly be a setback, the wolverines have the depth and talent to adapt. coach dusty may has built a roster loaded with frontcourt options, and there’s still time to make another move if needed — whether that’s tapping into the high school ranks, revisiting the portal, or adjusting the rotation to go small.

either way, michigan will be a team to watch in the big ten this year, with or without lendeborg. but if he does stay in the draft, look for wolf, johnson jr., and goldin to lead the next era of wolverine basketball from the paint out.