Redrafting the 2016 NBA Draft class
By Simon Shortt
4. Phoenix Suns
Original Pick: Dragan Bender
New Pick: Dragan Bender
The Phoenix Suns have no reason to pass up on Dragan Bender this time around. The 19-year-old has potential to shoot from three and protect the rim, a combination very key to today’s game.
Should Bender be able to consistently knock down the three, he has the potential to play with both T.J. Warren and Alex Len in the frontcourt, as both players operate primarily in the paint. But if the team adds depth on the wing, or Alan Williams/Derrick Jones Jr. develop into starters, Bender could turn into a full-time center with his length and shot-blocking ability.
We did not get a large enough sample size from Bender this year, playing sparingly in just 43 games, but he has all the tools for this young Suns team. And with some of the other young frontcourt players this team has, and the age of its core, Bender has some time to reach his star potential.