Dragan Bender‘s 10-day contract with the Warriors expired after Tuesday’s game, and the former fourth overall pick won’t get a second 10-day deal with the club at this time, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic.
A second 10-day contract for Bender in the coming days or weeks isn’t out of the question, Slater adds. However, Golden State prefers to maintain some roster flexibility for now.
As Slater observes, Bender was a little shaky in his first few games with the Warriors, especially on defense, but he looked better as of late. In Golden State’s last three games, two of which were wins, the former Sun averaged 11.7 PPG, 8.0 RPG, and 2.0 APG with a .452/.385/1.000 shooting line. His performance earned him praise from head coach Steve Kerr, as we detailed on Tuesday night.
“He’s got a lot of potential,” Kerr said. “Obviously, fourth pick in the draft, there’s a reason for that. He’s shown in the 10 days if you give him a little confidence, you give him a chance to play and gain some confidence, he can do a lot of good things out there. He’s helped us win two games in a season when we’ve not won a whole lot of games.”
Bender is now an unrestricted free agent, free to sign with any team, but if he thinks a return to Golden State is a strong possibility, perhaps he won’t seek out a new opportunity. For what it’s worth, Bender’s fellow 2016 Suns lottery pick Marquese Chriss was waived by the Warriors in January, then signed a new deal with the club eight days later, following rumors that there was mutual interest in a reunion. Perhaps Bender and the Dubs will follow a similar path.
For now, the Warriors are carrying 14 players, including two (Mychal Mulder and Chasson Randle) on 10-day deals, leaving one opening on their 15-man roster.
Umm.., ya.
12 hours ago they were impressed with him?????
Yes, in the way that he has a lot of potential. They feel he could be a player down the road. He can shoot a little he’s big he can pass a little. Just not right now. They want to keep their options open case of stud Falls in their lap. They took a look at Bender, okay thanks we’ll keep you in mind. Maybe a training camp invite.
They won 2 games, can’t be having that.
Lol, funny !! Imagine when Curry comes back… and he starts meshing with Wiggins?
When is when?
Who’s the flavor of the year? Which team are you gonna root for in June when there’s no Warriors once and for all, and your Rockets are sitting on the couch like usual ?
All the bandwagon fans went to the Lakers. All of a sudden everyone is a laker fan until they lose.
Flavor of the Year for me has always been the Warriors. My first memory of a starting lineup is Lester Conner Eric Floyd Jim Peterson Greg Ballard and Ralph Sampson. I might be combining a couple years there but boy those 80s and 90s we’re very rough except for two years of Run TMC.
Only the Warriors and Curry know. All I can say sitting here on the beach in Florida is that it might be Thursday against the Raptors on TV? But then again, it might not. They said he was going to come back last Sunday and then he didn’t.
He’s got size n skills. Needs development n confidence. A rebuilding team that needs size. Should go for it. You work with him. Play him in NBDL. Even two yrs there. Guys have played longer n made it.
Agree… and now a word from our corporate sponsors: *G-League*.
IDK if it’s still called the NBDL
He’s ineligible to join a contender for the playoffs then right?
No, guys who have 10-day contracts expire are still playoff-eligible. Only players waived from standard contracts now are ineligible.
It kinda makes sense they didn’t resign Bender. GS can probably hand out 3 more 10 day contracts. They can then evaluate players in real NBA games. They’ll restock their bench with cheap players.