Dragan Bender (Photo : EB via Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics could be looking at drafting Dragan Bender in hopes to land the next Kristaps Porzingis of the NBA.
The Celtics will head into the 2016 NBA draft with the No. 3 pick after acquiring the right to do so following this week's draft lottery. With the third pick in their hands, the Celtics could be pondering the best talent available once they select, and according to several reports and draft consensus, Bender of Maccabi Tel Aviv seems the right guy for Boston.
Several sports media outlet have the Celtics using the No. 3 pick on Bender, a 7-foot-1 center who has been drawing comparisons from New York Knicks rising star Kristaps Porzingis.
Bender has similarities with Porzingis in terms of body built, although there are slight differences in height and weight. The Croatian big man also has the mobility Porzingis showcased in his first season in the league, as well as the athleticism 7-footers rarely have. There is also the resemblance in skills as both big man could finish well in the rim and possess decent shooting from beyond the arc, at least for a seven-footer.
While there is no denying the same potential Bender possesses like what Porzingis has, many disagree about such comparison. Scot Howard-Cooper of NBA.com does not see Bender as someone near Porzingis' level, although soon-to-be NBA rookie has an intriguing arsenal of offense.
"Bender is not Kristaps Porzingis no matter how many people want to make the comparison -- Bender is a better distributor, Porzingis has better range -- but the offense is very intriguing," Cooper wrote.
SB Nation's Kevin O'Connor, who also projects the Celtics to draft Bender, thinks the towering Croatian is more of an Andrei Kirilenko-type of player due to the youngster's defensive versatility, shooting and playmaking skills.
"Andrei Kirilenko is a solid comp for Bender because of their defensive versatility, shooting and playmaking. Bender is taller, and not quite as long, but brings similar tools that give him high upside for the Celtics," O'Connor noted.
But according to an NBA scout, as reported in Bleacher Report's The Lab by Lars Anderson, Bender may have a better upside than Porzingis, with the former more advanced at a young age. Bender is the youngest prospect in this year's draft class at 18 years old, and while it spells raw potential, the ability to become a perennial All-Star is there.
"Dragan is more advanced at his age than Kristaps Porzingis was when he was 18," a longtime NBA scout said. "Dragan has great length, and he can block shots. He can run the floor, and his ability to finish at the rim is exceptional. His shot is getting better all the time. On defense, he has the ability to guard the 4 or the 5. He needs to gain weight and strength, but his potential is jaw-dropping."
The Celtics will certainly have plenty of homework to do before heading into the draft night in June. Boston is clearly in need of shooters, which may lead them to go for the likes of Jamal Murray or Kris Dunn. But if the Celtics deem Bender is too good a talent to pass on, he could be worth the risk as the No. 3 pick.
