Matt Steinmetz, who covers the team for ComcastSportsNet-Bay Area, filed the following report:
“The Warriors trimmed their roster down to 14 players on Wednesday, waiving Edwin Ubiles and Tommy Mitchell. Those moves would seem to indicate that Chris Wright, a 6-foot-8 power forward from Dayton, has a good chance of being on the Warriors’ opening night roster. ...
“Wright has impressed the Warriors’ decision-makers this season with his athleticism and work ethic. He had six points and three rebounds in 11 minutes on Tuesday night against the Kings.”
Reached by phone Wednesday, Wright didn’t want to get ahead of himself, but he told the Dayton Daily News: “Maybe they’re hearing things. Maybe they know something. But I’m just worried about me as a player and taking care of myself and hoping to contribute to the team — not just contribute on the court, but contribute with being a good guy in the locker room.
“I’m just worried about going to work every single day. Whatever they tell me they need me to do, that’s what I’m doing. I ain’t worrying about how many they’re keeping. I’m just going to practice every single day and go as hard as I can. God is going to take care of the rest. God knew 10 years ago if I was going to be on the team.”
Asked what he’s heard from the coaches, the Trotwood native said: “They basically said to keep doing what you do, keep on bringing energy and making multiple effort plays, and I’m excited about that.
“It’s just fun. It’s exciting. Being here and being in this position is something you always dreamed about. To actually be here in training camp and have someone like Mark Jackson be your coach and, when someone asks you who your teammates are, to say David Lee, Stephen Curry, Monta Ellis or Dorell Wright — those are guys that people know as NBA players.
“For those guys to be my teammates and go up against them every single day up to this point — because they haven’t made the final cut or anything like that — is a blessing and a dream come true.”
Warriors officials couldn’t be reached, but Steinmetz, the beat reporter, said: “It’s not official because they don’t have to technically send their rosters in until Saturday. But I would say it bodes well.”
Steinmetz emphasized a lot can change in the next couple of days because of the nature of the business, meaning Wright can still be waived or sent to the Warriors’ D-League team in Bismarck, N.D.
But he added: “I know now they like him (by retaining him). I think he needs to play more small forward, but they think he has the ability to guard (small forwards). He’s used to guarding (power forwards), and now he’s chasing people on the perimeter. But they know it’s tough for him and they like the way he’s going about it.”
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