Hoops Habit
Fansided

Ranking the NBA’s top buyout season signings

By Collin Loring

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 26: Reggie Jackson #1 of the LA Clippers handles the ball under pressure from Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on February 26, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Clippers defeated the Suns 102-92. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 26: Reggie Jackson #1 of the LA Clippers handles the ball under pressure from Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on February 26, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Clippers defeated the Suns 102-92. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Dragan Bender, Jordan McRae

While almost 99 percent of the league has given up on Phoenix’s former fourth-overall pick, the Golden State Warriors can’t be blamed for taking a chance on him.

Dragan Bender is just 22 years old, and already on his third NBA home. Ahead of his being drafted in 2016, he displayed all the tools of a fully functioning and starting stretch four.

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Unfortunately for Bender, he was drafted by the Phoenix Suns, a franchise infamous for their failures in the develop department. (See Chriss, Marquesse or Jackson, Josh)

But now in Golden State, albeit only on a 10-day deal, Bender gets another chance to show the Warriors’ training staff (if no one else) that he belongs in the NBA. He posted 3.7 points and 2.9 rebounds per game in seven appearances for Milwaukee.

Yet already with the depleted Warriors, he’s made an impact. Bender scored 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds in Golden State’s victory over Phoenix on Saturday.

Speaking of the Suns, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN was first with reports that guard Jordan McRae was bought out by the Denver Nuggets, and is expected to sign with Phoenix.

The 28-year old guard started the year with the Washington Wizards, where he averaged 12.8 points in 29 games. But he struggled to find any playing time with the Nuggets. Phoenix is five and a half games back of the Western Conference’s eighth seed and hoping they can make a run.

The Suns and Warriors get just honorable mentions simply based on their standings within the league. Every other team listed has at one point this season (if not still) deemed as having a real shot at the title come June.