Phoenix Suns: 3 players most likely to be traded in 2018-19

3. Dragan Bender

Dragan Bender is only 20 years old and has played a grand total of 125 games in his career. Unfortunately, none of that has stifled the cries of “draft bust” that hang in the air around this former No. 4 overall pick. If he continues to look as lost and timid as he has through his first two NBA seasons, the Suns might try to cash in on whatever upside other suitors might still see in him.

To be fair, Bender is still extremely young, and Phoenix knew he would be a project. However, with The Timeline being accelerated and his only discernible skill being 3-point shooting (Bender shot 36.6 percent from downtown on 3.9 attempts per game last year), it’s time for the young Croatian to prove himself.

After struggling in NBA Summer League, where third-year players are expected to dominate, the inconsistent Bender must get stronger, be more aggressive on offense and put up better numbers than the 6.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game on 38.6 percent shooting he posted last year.

If Bender struggles to carve out minutes as the Suns veer toward small-ball lineups with their glut of wings, or if Marquese Chriss bypasses him in the rotation, McDonough may try to capitalize on Bender’s value as a young, former top-four pick with potential. Dealing him away for a more established player would make sense, before the rest of the league views him as a draft bust as well.