Phoenix Suns: 5 goals for Dragan Bender in 2017-18

5. Play in 65 games

This may seem like it’s setting the bar pretty low, but considering Dragan Bender was barely a part of the rotation early in the year and then missed 28 consecutive games due to an ankle injury that nearly ended his rookie season, it’d be good to see the Croatian play in at least 65 games this year.

That’d not only mean he’s a consistent part of Earl Watson‘s rotation in his age-20 season, but that he stayed healthy and was able to get a little more accustomed to the grind of a full 82-game season after only playing 43 games as a rook.

After all, Suns fans have seen firsthand how injuries can hamper the early development of a frail seven-footer thanks to Alex Len‘s first few years in the league.

Bender doesn’t need to play the full 82-game slate, but reaching that 65-70 game threshold would be a reassuring sign he’s not too fragile for this league and that Watson is committed to carving out a proper role for his diverse skill-set.