Phoenix Suns: 5 goals for Dragan Bender in 2017-18
1. Crack starting five
So far we’ve covered how Bender needs to play a more prominent role when it comes to increased appearances and minutes per game, but if the Suns are truly going all in on this youth movement, the opportunity should be there for Dragan Bender to be a starter by season’s end.
With a 2018 NBA Draft class that’s loaded in the top five and Phoenix prioritizing development in a brutal Western Conference, Bender stands to benefit despite his lack of experience or established skill-set.
Despite putting up superior raw numbers, Marquese Chriss is a major defensive liability and based on the extra weight he put on before Summer League, he’s temporarily lost the same mobility and leaping ability that once helped him occasionally recover from his lack of defensive awareness — a category that serves as a perfect foil since it’s Bender’s specialty.
Chandler will turn 35 before the season begins and during exit interviews, he said he needed to see a couple of established veterans added to the roster during free agency as he evaluated his future with the Suns. Phoenix did nothing of the sort, and though Chandler’s bond with his young teammates is very strong, he might consider spending what’s left of his NBA career with a more competitive group.
Len, a restricted free agent, could very well be playing the 2017-18 season out on his qualifying offer if the stalemate continues. He’s shown very little sign of being a starting-caliber center and the Suns’ unwillingness to pony up the dough shows their level of commitment to him at this point in time.
Whether at the 4 or the 5, Bender should set his goal as being a starter in the frontcourt before the season turns into another outright tank job.
Next: Phoenix Suns - 5 goals for Josh Jackson's rookie season
Earning minutes off the bench would be good enough for most fans invested in Dragan Bender’s future, but if he can work his way into a starting job in just his second season, #TheTimeline might not have to wait too much longer for another franchise pillar to emerge.