If it's up to Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, fourth-year forward Dragan Bender will continue his career in Golden State for at least the next 10 days per Anthony Slater of The Athletic.
This was the final day of Dragan Bender’s first 10-day contract. Steve Kerr: “I’d love to give him another 10 days.” pic.twitter.com/qNBYDo4vSl
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 4, 2020
Bender was supposed to be the next big thing in the NBA. At seven feet tall and Porzingis-like skills, the Phoenix Suns selected the Bosnia and Herzegovina native with the fourth overall pick in the 2016 draft.
After three very disappointing years in Phoenix, Bender's career looked like it might be over at the age of 21. After agreeing to play professionally in Russia, Bender, a free agent at the time, was signed by the Milwaukee Bucks on a two-year deal.
Still young, the thought was that Bender may be able to put it together on a better team. That didn't happen as Bender played just seven games for the Bucks where he averaged 3.7 points and 2.9 rebounds per game in 13.0 minutes a contest while shooting 47.6 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from deep.
After power forward Marvin Williams was released by the Charlotte Hornets and then picked up by the Bucks, Bender was waived.
Less than two weeks later, Bender was signed by the struggling Warriors. In Golden State, the former top-five pick has gotten plenty of opportunities as he is playing 23.4 minutes per game and has started three of the five games he has appeared in.
However, while Bender is averaging 6.2 points and a career-high 6.6 rebounds in the small sample size, the seven-footer is shooting a paltry 32.5 percent from the field and 25.0 percent from beyond the arc.
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