What to expect from Phoenix Suns Rookie Dragan Bender
The Phoenix Suns passed on a number of productive college players to grab Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Dragan Bender at No. 4 in theNBA draft.
Bender’s long-term upside makes the pick a home run for a team that’s in no position to compete out West anytime soon. He’s built up hype over the years with flashes of eye-opening versatility during FIBA tournaments, Eurocamp, Basketball Without Borders and other scouting showcase events. Now it’s a matter of whether he can convert those flashes into consistency.
Having played just 12.9 minutes a game overseas in 2015-16, Bender, the youngest player in Las Vegas Summer League at 18 years old, fits the description of a textbook project. Expectations must be tempered for the 7’1″ Croatian who averaged 4.5 points last year between Euroleague and the Israeli League.
Though he’ll prove capable of playing short stretches at small forward and center, Bender mainly projects as a 4. For now, the starting spot presumably belongs to veteran Jared Dudley, while Alex Len and Tyson Chandler share minutes at the 5.
Head coach Earl Watson must figure out how to allocate his backup power forward minutes early on, with the team having also drafted Marquese Chriss (another 4) later in the lottery.
Bender’s skill set complements Len’s and Chandler’s—two interior-oriented anchors. While Len and Chandler do most of their work in the post or pick-and-roll game, Bender prefers operating mostly around the arc as a traditional stretch big who can spot up, face up or attack closeouts.
His potential to switch onto wings defensively is another fitting strength in a lineup with paint-stuck centers suited. Between Bender’s size and foot speed, we could see him guard three positions at different times throughout the year.
However, during limited summer-league action, Chriss looked more prepared to take on NBA minutes. By the time he’s ready to roll, Bender’s fit in Phoenix could look a whole lot different.
Based on their play in July, Chriss seems more likely to receive the first crack at regular minutes. For Bender, that should mean Development League time, where he’ll have the chance to build up his reps and confidence. At least during the first half of the 2016-17 season, his NBA action will be limited. There will even be games where he won’t play at all.
However, the Suns may not win a lot of games before the All-Star break. When it becomes obvious their postseason chances are over, Watson will be pressured to increase Bender’s workload.
Once he’s given a shot to play through mistakes, expect Bender to demonstrate erratic yet capable shot-making skills, as well as the ability to take his man off the bounce and improvise with floaters and one-handers on the move.
I anticipate we’ll also see passes and decisions that highlight his feel for the game and IQ. Just don’t count on production, steady play or big minutes in 2016-17. Project Bender won’t fully launch until year two.
Category: Basketball
