According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Golden State Warriors are signing former fourth overall pick Dragan Bender to a 10-day contract on Sunday. Bender, a 7-foot-0 forward who was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 2016, has only suited up for seven games this season after being waived by the Milwaukee Bucks on February 10.
Bender has spent most of the 2019-20 season with the NBA G League’s Wisconsin Herd, the Bucks’ G League affiliate. There, the 22-year-old averaged 20.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 50.5 percent from the field, 38.4 percent from three (on 5.6 attempts per game) and 79.4 percent from the free-throw line.
Bender is expected to sign the 10-day on Sunday. He was waived in Milwaukee after a roster spot was needed for Marvin Williams. The 7-footer was the No. 4 pick in 2016 NBA Draft. He's still only 22. https://t.co/uWWTFRhhhm
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 20, 2020
He averages 5.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.2 rebounds and 0.6 blocks per game for his career, with shooting percentages of 39.6 percent from the field, 32.3 percent from three and 64.7 percent from the charity stripe.
With his length and shooting touch both inside and outside, Bender will be an intriguing fit with the Warriors’ frontcourt, one that’s already found a couple of players in Eric Paschall and Marquese Chriss who look like they’ll be part of Golden State’s rotation next season. When Kevon Looney returns to full health, these three — plus mainstay Draymond Green — figure to form the main frontcourt rotation.
Bender, if he works out, could be a backup for the recently acquired Andrew Wiggins at small forward or just solid depth.
You can watch some of Bender’s most recent highlights here, and imagine his fit for yourself: