Omri Casspi did not anticipate the Warriors to come calling in free agency.
But early in the morning on July 1 -- when Casspi was at home in Israel -- Golden State came knocking.
"I knew this was where I wanted to put myself," Casspi told ESPN's Kevin Arnovitz. "I wanted to be a part of this group of guys and wanted them to dictate my future. So many times as role players, we are so dependent on our main guys, our coachs, etc. -- they dictate our future.
"I feel like a lot of times a lot of people didn't know a lot about my game because I played on bad teams. And now, things are more out there because I'm playing on a better team."
Casspi -- who reportedly turned down an offer worth more than double the $2.1 million deal he signed with the Warriors -- got off to a slow start this season.
But over the last 16 games, the 29-year old is averaging 6.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists over 14.8 minutes per contest.
He is shooting over 59 percent from the field.
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Casspi will become a free agent again next summer, and believes playing for the Warriors will have him well positioned.
"I wanted Steph and KD and Coach Kerr and Draymond and Klay and the rest of the guys to dictate where my future and my career are gonna go," Casspi acknowledged. "Because at the end of the day, the better season we have, the better career I will have."
Drew Shiller is the co-host of Warriors Outsiders. Follow him on Twitter @DrewShiller
