Phoenix Suns: 3 goals for Dragan Bender in 2018-19

2. Shoot 39 percent from 3

Coming into the draft, Dragan Bender’s offensive value rested in his ability to do a little bit of everything at seven feet. He could be a secondary playmaker one day, perhaps, but his potential as a stretch-5 was tantalizing.

"“Last year the shooting improved, I think he shot over 36 percent from 3 and 78 or something from the line,” McDonough said. “So the stroke looked good from 7’1″.”"

In his second season, Bender converted 36.6 percent of his 3.9 long range attempts per game. Unfortunately, that shooting ability is really the only thing he’s brought to the table thus far in his short career, and it certainly wasn’t enough to impress everyone last year.

That’ll happen when you post a meager 6.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game on 38.6 percent shooting from the field as a former top-five pick.

"“I think his versatility can work against him that [he can do] everything a little bit, but nothing really [well],” Kokoskov said. “This is also a league of extremes, you have to be extremely good in something.”"

With playing time up for grabs, Bender not only has to be aggressive in looking for and taking his shot, but he’s got to make 3-point shooting his trademark skill. That means going from average to above-average in 3-point percentage, making a jump into 39-40 percent territory.