1. Dragan Bender
As the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Dragan Bender‘s first two seasons in the league have been underwhelming to say the least. While he’s only played 125 career games and shot an impressive 36.6 percent from deep last year, that stretch-5 potential is really the only asset he’s proven he can bring to the table on a night-to-night basis.
After the eighth overall pick in the same draft, Marquese Chriss, was traded to the Houston Rockets just a few weeks ago, the message was clear: Start producing, or small-ball lineups are going to carry the day.
McDonough said the Chriss trade was all about what the Suns perceived as a poor fit with Ayton. At 7’1″, and with the (supposed) ability to switch onto smaller wings on the perimeter when necessary, Bender needs to go about proving his fit in the frontcourt alongside the Suns’ latest lottery pick.
"“He’s starting year 3 still 20 years old, but he’s not a kid anymore,” McDonough said. “That’s what we’re looking for from him, to be confident, be aggressive, be physical.”"
Bender and McDonough were on the same page about where he should improve in 2018-19, with both mentioning the need for more trips to the free throw line, aggressiveness in attacking off the dribble and making plays, stronger box-outs and inviting contact in the lane after spending the summer in the weight room.
"“He thinks the game and sees the game pretty well for a young big, but he needs to take a step and be consistent because there is a lot of competition, especially on the wing, 2-4,” McDonough said. “We told Dragan and all our guys it’s an open competition, so whoever earns the minutes will play and whoever doesn’t, won’t.”"
Kokoskov’s motion offense and the Croatian’s secondary playmaking seem like natural fits, but it’ll be on the 20-year-old to prove he deserves to be part of The Timeline with a definitive step forward this year. Otherwise, much like Chriss, a poor fit in the frontcourt could see Dragan Bender on the way out of Phoenix in the near future.