Hoops Habit
Fansided

2016 NBA Mock Draft: Drafting For Need

By Maxwell Ogden

Dragan Bender, a professional Croatian basketball player currently playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Israeli Basketball Super League attends a training session at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv on March 16, 2016.Bender's name is not yet well known beyond hardcore basketball fans, but that may soon change. Bender is expected to be highly sought after by US professional basketball teams in the coming months. / AFP / JACK GUEZ (Photo credit should read JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
Dragan Bender, a professional Croatian basketball player currently playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Israeli Basketball Super League attends a training session at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv on March 16, 2016.Bender's name is not yet well known beyond hardcore basketball fans, but that may soon change. Bender is expected to be highly sought after by US professional basketball teams in the coming months. / AFP / JACK GUEZ (Photo credit should read JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 31
Next

3. Boston Celtics (via Nets): Dragan Bender, Maccabi Tel Aviv

Position: Power Forward
Age: 18 (11/17/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 7’0.5″, 216 pounds, 7’2″
Slash Line: .429/.379/.719
Season Averages: 12.1 MPG, 4.4 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 0.8 ORPG, 0.7 BPG, 0.7 3PM

The Boston Celtics have built a team that’s ready to compete right now. Free agency will go a long way towards determining how legitimate of a contender the Celtics can be, but the team is flush with quality role players who are ready to win.

Gambling on one of the few players in this draft class who has the potential to be a genuine star at the next level is something Boston can afford to do.

The Celtics have a number of solid interior players, but there isn’t a true star amongst them. Thus, for as tempting as it was to make Jamal Murray the selection, it’s hard to ignore how much stronger Boston’s backcourt is than its frontcourt when talking team needs.

Bender may end up playing at a similar level as Kelly Olynyk and Jared Sullinger offensively, but his defensive potential makes him a more valuable option.

Boston was No. 11 in the NBA in 3-point field goal attempts, but ranked No. 28 in 3-point field goal percentage. In other words, Brad Stevens wants his team to shoot 3-point field goals at a higher volume, but doesn’t have the personnel to efficiently do so.

Bender’s ability to space the floor, protect the rim, play from the post, and switch off of pick-and-rolls makes him the prototypical Brad Stevens big man.

Next: Phoenix Suns

Home/NBA Draft