Wright is being evaluated by the team's medical staff this weekend and will have an MRI exam Monday. If his shoulder is completely dislocated and requires surgery, Wright would miss up to six months, essentially ending his season.

The left-hander missed two months with a partially dislocated shooting shoulder last season. After making a brief return from the injury, he missed the final 10 games of the season.

"It's certainly not good," Nelson said. "He says it's as bad as the last one."

Wright, who won't address the media until he knows the exact status of his injury, was hurt during a scrimmage. He took a hard foul on his left forearm, jolting his shoulder as he tried to finish the shot.

Entering his third season, Wright reported to camp in his best physical condition ever, the Warriors' coaching staff said, and had become much more assertive on the court. His strides as a shot-blocker and rebounder, as well as his ability to run the floor, have been some of Nelson's favorite talking points during camp.

The Warriors have decided to pick up Wright's fourth-year option, a payout of just less than $3.4 million for the 2010-11 season. They have until Oct. 31 to make the move official, but the injury shouldn't affect the decision.

"We were going to start Anthony Randolph, but I can't tell you that Wright wasn't the better player in camp," Nelson said. "We thought he was really going to be a factor this year, so it's quite a loss for us.

"It's just a real kick in the teeth."

Nelson said the team will most likely have to play small while Wright is out, using 6-foot-6 Corey Maggette as the backup power forward. The Warriors can also use Mikki Moore, who was brought in through free agency for depth at center.

"It's really a tough one," Maggette said.

Briefly: The Warriors waived former St. Mary's forward Diamon Simpson, cutting their roster to 16 players.

Preseason opener Clippers vs. Oracle Arena6 p.m. tonight680