NBA: Golden State Warriors Expand Shooting Options, Signs Former Top 5 Pick

The Golden State Warriors find themselves in a different predicament this season as they’ve fallen off as the dominant team in the league. They are currently last in the NBA with a 12-44 record. The Warriors were a high-octane offensive juggernaut led by elite shooting. With Kevin Durant leaving for the Brooklyn Nets and the Splash Brothers Klay Thompson and Steph Curry nursing injuries, the dynasty has now taken time off the Playoff picture.

After five straight Finals appearances, the Warriors are now taking time off as the team to beat. They’ve focused on ending the season in a strong note while finding ways to improve their team moving forward. They acquired D’Angelo Russell in the offseason and eventually traded for former number 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins.

The acquisition of Wiggins was one of the main headlines of the trade deadline. Despite having all trades finalized, the Warriors continue to make their moves to see their options in years to come. They recently signed former number 4 overall draft pick Dragan Bender to a 10-day contract.

Bender was hyped to be one of the best international talents in the 2016 NBA draft class. He started his career with the Phoenix Suns and served as a big man who can stretch the floor with his shooting.

“We’re into former Suns. I don’t know if you noticed that,” said Warriors Assistant General Manager Kirk Lacob. This is a reference to having Marqueese Chriss also as a member of the team. Chriss was drafted in the same class as Bender and both spent their first few years together as members of the Suns. Head Coach Steve Kerr is also a former Sun and even spent the 2007-2010 seasons as the team’s GM.

The Warriors getting Bender was a move that has always been on their radar. Lacob continued by saying they were tracking the big man since his days in Phoenix. With his 10-day contract, Bender has a lot to prove if he will be a good enough fit when the Warriors fully recover for next season.