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Golden State Warriors: Dragan Bender can’t spoil opportunity with Warriors

By Nathan Beighle

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 09: Dragan Bender #17 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during halftime against the Utah Jazz during a preseason game at Fiserv Forum on October 09, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 09: Dragan Bender #17 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during halftime against the Utah Jazz during a preseason game at Fiserv Forum on October 09, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors signed Dragan Bender, a former lottery pick, and much like Marquese Chriss, he’ll be given a much-needed opportunity.

Apparently, the Golden State Warriors are trying to morph into the 2016-2017 Phoenix Suns. With both Chriss and Dragan Bender on their roster, the Warriors have taken two of the Suns’ lottery picks from the 2016 NBA Draft.

Chriss was the No. 8 overall pick and Bender was even higher, being selected No. 4 overall. Both players were looking like they’d be on their way out of the league at the season’s commencement. Now, both are members of the Golden State Warriors.

Much like Chriss did, Bender must make the most of his opportunity.

The potential for a forgotten player in the Bay is sky-high. Golden State will need low-value contracts to fill out their roster, and Bender is currently auditioning for one of them after spending time in Milwaukee to start the season.

Bender, a seven-footer from Bosnia, scored six points in his first game with the Warriors. He was 2-for-5 from three, missing all three attempts from within the arc. Overall, Bender’s debut was as expected.

He didn’t show off anything that really impressed Golden State, but he did play well enough to continue getting minutes. Along with those six points, Bender notched five rebounds, three assists, and a block.

The Warriors’ power forward was supposed to be the league’s next Kristaps Porzingis, and to be fair, the stage was set for him to be just that. Well, Bender just hasn’t developed into that dominant and agile player.

Like with Chriss, fans watching Bender need to realize that he can still develop his game. He is a 22-year-old. Let’s not write him off before we give him the rest of the season to show the coaching staff what he’s really capable of.

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The Warriors won’t have the money to attract top-tier talent this offseason, making Bender a perfect target. He’ll need to play well these last 20 games to really solidify a spot in what could be his last opportunity to make it in the NBA.

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