Where Michigan prospects Danny Wolf, Vladislav Goldin, transfer commit Yaxel Lendeborg stand in post-lottery NBA mock drafts

The NBA Draft Lottery is in the rear view, and the combine in Chicago is underway. It’s time to look at where Michigan prospects stand in post-lottery mock drafts.

The Maize and Blue have two draft hopefuls in forward/center Danny Wolf and center Vladislav Goldin. Plus, transfer commit and former UAB forward Yaxel Lendeborg is exploring the draft while leaving the option open to come back to college and play for Michigan.

Here’s a roundup of six mock drafts. Wolf appeared in all of them, Goldin was selected in two of the three that had second round projections (The Athletic, ESPN) and Lendeborg was listed in five of the six.

F/C Danny Wolf

• ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo: No. 17 to the Minnesota Timberwolves

“Leaning into the versatility of an out-of-the-box prospect such as Wolf, who shouldered significant playmaking responsibilities for Michigan as a 7-footer, could be interesting,” Givony wrote. “Wolf’s skill level, creativity and overall instincts on both ends of the floor give him a higher ceiling than your typical 21-year-old prospect, especially with the development trajectory he has been on the past three years.”

“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.

“Minnesota will also consider using this pick to improve its roster as it pushes to contend around an ascending Anthony Edwards.”

• Sam Vecenie, The Athletic: No. 15 to the Oklahoma City Thunder

“Over their recent history, the Thunder have valued players with terrific positional size as well as the ability to dribble, pass and shoot for their position,” Vecenie wrote. “Wolf is exactly that, as he’s a real creator at 7 feet with the ability to play in ball screens as a ballhandler as well as pass and make plays as a big man.

“He averaged 13 points, 10 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game, though he had a real turnover problem owing to a bit of a high handle and wild decision-making.

“Defensively, there are also some questions, although I think that his overall movement skill has been underrated throughout the process.

“For the Thunder, Isaiah Hartenstein’s massive deal has a team option after next season, and they likely will struggle to afford him along with the extensions that will be owed to Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams. Jaylin Williams will also be owed an extension by next summer, too, meaning they could easily be in the market for another big.”

• The Ringer: No. 14 to the San Antonio Spurs

“The more unsavory parts of Wolf’s game—turnovers, inconsistent shooting, meh-to-OK defensive upside—are a big reason why I think his responsibilities will need to be compressed into a smaller role in the NBA,” the site wrote. “But the length and athleticism of the Spurs should do a lot to protect him while allowing his polish as a lob thrower and feathery slinger of skip passes to shine. I also think he’s a better shooter than many make him out to be, so he should form a nice synergy with Victor Wembanyama and give him opportunities to toggle between driving the ball and operating in the mid-post. Wolf has his minuses, but his overall feel for the game should allow him to stay on the floor.”

• Kyle Boone, CBS Sports: No. 15 to the Oklahoma City Thunder

“OKC will have plenty of options here at No. 15 to add to its No. 1-seeded Western Conference team — and here I have them selecting Danny Wolf,” Boone wrote. “He has a funky but functional game as a dynamic passer, playmaker and occasional point guard. His IQ and feel would fit a team like the Thunder.”

• Kevin O’Connor, Yahoo Sports: No. 26 to the Brooklyn Nets

“Wolf is a 7-footer who ran point for Michigan, playing a slick style with risky passes and step-back jumpers that made him a highlight factory,” O’Connor wrote. “But he’s also a turnover machine and his shooting numbers are shaky, making him more of a raw bet who needs time to prove he can match his flash with substance. The Nets are exactly the type of team that would be wise to take a swing for the fences with him.”

• Draft Digest: No. 28 to the Boston Celtics

C Vladislav Goldin

• ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo: No. 57 to the Orlando Magic

• Sam Vecenie, The Athletic: No. 58 to the Cleveland Cavaliers

F Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan transfer commit, former UAB standout)

• ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo: No. 29 to the Phoenix Suns

“Lendeborg became a person of interest for NBA teams after a terrific season at UAB, but is no lock to remain in the draft, with significant money on the table from Michigan should he return to college next season,” Woo wrote.

“His two-way productivity, size and improving skill level holds some appeal as a depth option with developmental upside at power forward. Lendeborg will need to win teams over on the workout circuit to play his way firmly into the type of range it might take to keep him in this class versus next year’s.

“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. Adding a contributor who can shore up Phoenix’s questionable depth at this spot would be valuable.”

• Sam Vecenie, The Athletic: No. 33 (second round) to the Charlotte Hornets

• The Ringer: No. 27 to the Brooklyn Nets

“There’s chatter that Lendeborg, who committed to transfer to Michigan last month, could be persuaded to delay his NBA debut by a season and confirm that his incredible production at UAB was not the product of whipping up on lesser competition,” the site wrote. “If he stays in, his above-average rim protection for his position, connective passing, and ability to score within 15 feet would allow him to thrive as a role player in the short term for a wandering Brooklyn team while, in the long term, growing his game along with the rest of the roster.”

• Kyle Boone, CBS Sports: No. 29 to the Phoenix Suns

“The top transfer in this year’s portal class has options after leaving UAB — among them being a potential first-round pick,” Boone wrote. “He’s committed to Michigan as things stand now and remains one of the big names on the fence leading into the withdrawal deadline. A defensive playmaker with true two-way ability on the wing.”

• Kevin O’Connor, Yahoo Sports: No. 24 to the Oklahoma City Thunder

“Lendeborg fills the stat sheet in every category, showing off athletic shot creation, dominant rebounding and versatile defense,” O’Connor wrote. “There really isn’t anything he can’t do, it’s just a matter if what he does in a weaker conference can translate to the pros. Some NBA teams hope he returns to school, since he’d face a much higher level of competition as a Michigan transfer. But what if he gets promised by a team such as OKC, where he’d be in a great player developmental program? It’d be a tough choice for Lendeborg, and certainly the Thunder would be wise to take a big swing with one or two of their firsts.”

• Draft Digest: No. 39 (second round) to the Toronto Raptors