In the 2019-20 season, the Golden State Warriors rotation has spun into new groupings daily. The constant adjustments to the roster from either trades or injuries has given the Warriors an up and down rotation.
Since the trade deadline, Steve Kerr has sent out a fresh and unfamiliar group of players to the floor to represent the Warriors. A significant change for a team that made five straight NBA Finals appearances with a steady core.
The newest member of the Golden State Warriors is Croatian big man Dragan Bender. The former lottery pick signed a 10-day contract with the Warriors on Sunday, and only hours later made his debut at Chase Center in San Francisco against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Steve Kerr spoke to reporters after the Warriors’ loss to the Pelicans about Bender’s debut.
Via Sam Hustis of KNBR:
He’s got a lot of skill. We saw him knock down a couple of shots, make some passes. He’s got good size. Not a bad night for a guy who literally hasn’t had a practice with us — flew in last night. It’ll be good for him to get a couple of practices with us under his belt and get more comfortable as the week goes on.
Steve Kerr said that Dragan Bender flew in last night and played without practicing with Golden State at all 🤯 pic.twitter.com/wNZseYN5G9
— Sam Hustis (aka Mason Saunders 🤠) (@SamHustis) February 24, 2020
The 22-year old played 20 minutes in his first game with the Warriors, scoring six points on 2-of-8 shooting from the field. Both of Bender’s makes came from beyond the arc.
pick-&-pop Dragan Bender, cash money pic.twitter.com/RWQazYabIV
— Chris Montano (@gswchris) February 24, 2020
The former Milwaukee Buck added five rebounds, three assists and a block against 2019 top-pick Zion Williamson.
Dragan Bender blocked Zion 👀 pic.twitter.com/FIGLa2gpbT
— Chris Montano (@gswchris) February 24, 2020
The newest Warrior took advantage of the open playing time as Golden State was without both Draymond Green and Marquese Chriss due to injuries. Bender hasn’t played a game since Jan. 24, but registered the third-most minutes he’s received all season in his Golden State debut.
Bender has three games left to prove to Kerr and Golden State he belongs with the team after his 10-day contract expires.