Michigan Basketball: Where Danny Wolf, Yaxel Lendeborg are projected in post-lottery NBA mock draft

This will be a situation to monitor for Michigan fans.
Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Dallas Mavericks shocked the world last night when they received the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft after having just a 1.8% of landing the first pick. While the Mavs won the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes, Michigan basketball fans are curious to know where Danny Wolf and potential future Wolverine, Yaxel Lendeborg, are being projected following the lottery.

ESPN created a new NBA mock draft following the lottery and they have both Wolf and Lendeborg going in Round 1. After playing one season with the Wolverines, Wolf is being projected to go No. 17 to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The former Yale big man averaged 13.7 points and 9.8 rebounds for Michigan this past season, while leading the Wolverines to the Sweet 16.

"The Pistons breaking through and making the playoffs conveyed this pick to the Timberwolves, who have a nice opportunity to add talent after having traded away most of their draft capital since Tim Connelly took over as president," Woo wrote. "Wolf would give them a versatile frontcourt player capable of contributing sooner than later."

Yaxel Lendebor
Chris Jones-Imagn Images

As for the UAB transfer who committed to Michigan, Lendeborg is testing the NBA waters to see if he will secure a first-round guarantee. ESPN, as of now, believes Leneborg will become a first-round pick and has him going to the Phoenix Suns with the No. 29 pick. With there only being 30 picks in the first round, this is right on the bubble of where Lendeborg wants to be. The talented big man who averaged 17.7 points and 11.4 rebounds will need to impress during the Combine to secure a spot in the draft. If not, he will head to Ann Arbor for one season in hopes of becoming a high first-round pick in 2026.

"The Suns changed front office leadership this month, with Brian Gregory taking over as top executive for James Jones and the franchise more focused on its latest coaching hire than anything else right now," wrote Woo. "Adding a contributor who can shore up Phoenix's questionable depth at this spot would be valuable."

ESPN also has Michigan center Vlad Goldin going No. 57 overall in the second round to the Orlando Magic.

Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI -

More Michigan News:

Former Michigan football WR Donovan Peoples-Jones signs with NFL team

Where Michigan football ranks in post-spring Big Ten Power Rankings

Joel Klatt on Michigan football's latest sign-stealing saga: 'Something's coming and it's likely very large'

For additional coverage of University of Michigan athletics:


Published
Trent Knoop
TRENT KNOOP

Trent began writing and covering Michigan athletics back in 2020. He became a credentialed member of the media in 2021. Trent began writing with Sports Illustrated in 2023 and became the Managing Editor for Michigan Wolverines On SI during the 2025 football season. Trent also serves as the Publisher of Baylor Bears on SI. His other bylines have appeared on Maryland on SI, Wisconsin on SI, and across the USA TODAY Sports network. Trent’s love of sports and being able to tell stories to fans is what made him get into writing.

Share on XFollow @trentknoop