Wright turns 22 on Monday, making him younger than all of those players except Randolph and Curry, and hardly the age at which his NBA career will be defined. Still, he seemed to be the forgotten man with Golden State until the preseason opened this week and he excelled enough to extend his contract with the Warriors .

Coach Don Nelson said Friday he feels the team has decided to pick up Wright's fourth-year option, a payout of just less than $3.4 million for the 2010-11 season that also makes the power forward a restricted free agent in 2011-12. Team sources said that decision has been made, but - because of the possibility of unforeseen injuries or trades - it doesn't make any sense to announce it earlier than the NBA's Oct. 31 deadline.

"I've always liked him, but it takes about two years before most rookies fill out a little bit and become a factor," Nelson said. "This is his third year, and I think it's a big step for him."

Wright's strides have come both in the physical and mental realms. Though he had an out-of-sight-and-out-of-mind summer, Wright grew an inch to 6-foot-10, added muscle to be listed at 210 pounds and has become more assertive on the court.

"I kind of like to be MIA. Then I can come out and shock everyone and prove that I can play some ball," Wright said. "There's some fuel there, but I didn't need that because I've got enough reasons to drive myself personally."

Wright scored 25 points against Philadelphia in March, then tried to play three more games despite an injured shoulder, but had to shut it down for the season. When he plays 20-plus minutes, Wright averages 13 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.

Those bright spots, however, have been all over the place.

"He's had some flashes, but he's trying to be consistent and put those flashes together," assistant coach Keith Smart said. "In his first year, things were flying. He was dealing with conditioning, the pace of practice, the level of the players. Now, things have slowed down dramatically for him."

In a 60-minute scrimmage Wednesday, Wright had nearly a dozen offensive rebounds and blocked a couple of shots. Though Nelson said Randolph is still the starting power forward, he said Wright has outplayed the incumbent to this point.

"He's definitely impressed everybody here," Nelson said. "Whatever he did this summer was a good thing, because he's definitely ready."

While continuing to work on his bachelor's degree at North Carolina, Wright worked out with fellow alums. Then he started his most arduous offseason ever.

He worked out six - sometimes seven - days a week with his high school coach George Pitts, who is now at King College in Bristol, Tenn. Wright thought about how hard other players were working, what he could do to be better conditioned and why he was traded for Jason Richardson.

"I came in at 19 years old, and it was too big for me" to replace Richardson, Wright said. "Now, I know that none of that matters.

"In order for us to win, we're going to have to rebound and defend, and in order for me to play, I'm going to have to rebound and defend.

"I want both of those things."

And, maybe, a little recognition of his promise.

Sunday's game Clippers vs. 6 p.m.Oracle Arena680