Dragan Bender (Photo : EB via Getty Images)
The 2016 NBA Draft has been considered as a two-player draft. However, there are some objections to the consensus.
It seemed like a given that Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram will go first and second, it's just the order that needs to be determined. On the other hand, the no.3 spot has as many as five different candidates. But the consensus is not unanimous.
In an ESPN Insider feature, analyst Kevin Pelton opened up an argument that another player should be in the running for the no.2 slot. As he said:
"Based on (Dragan) Bender's projections, not only should the Boston Celtics be strongly considering him with the No. 3 pick, he also deserves consideration from the L.A. Lakers at No. 2."
How could the Croatian contest someone like Brandon Ingram when he could not even secure the no.3 spot in some mock drafts?
His colleague, Chad Ford called Bender "a perfect big man in modern NBA offenses and defenses."
Ford cited his offensive abilities, as Bender can stretch the floor with 38.6 percent shooting from 3-point range in Israel during the regular season. Ford noted that Bender "has above-average court vision and can finish at the rim. If you're a triple-threat 7-footer who can pass, shoot or drive, there's a place for you in the NBA."
On defense, Bender is "a versatile 7-footer who can guard multiple positions both on the perimeter and in the paint. He has the physical tools, the basketball skills and the relentless motor to be a Swiss Army knife in the NBA."
There are comparisons to Kristaps Porzingis, the breakout international player from last year's draft. They are both skilled 7-footers, after all.
Ford differentiated the two: Porzingis is a better athlete and shot-blocker and came with much more experience. Bender is arguably a more versatile defender, better shooter and better passer. Most scouts believe that Porzingis is the better prospect.
But Pelton notes that Porzingis was a year older and had more experience than Bender had going into the draft. Comparing Bender to Porzingis in 2014 when Porzingis was the same age as Bender is now, , "the comparison is more reasonable -- and favorable to Bender."
The only caveat to these assumptions is that we have not seen enough of Dragan Bender-even less than Porzingis. As Bleacher Report said, he is still a "mystery" and thus a great risk.
It would be difficult to choose Bender over "sure" prospects like Brandon Ingram. That would be a high risk move. But the main argument to take him would be Kristaps Porzingis himself. The Knicks won their gamble last year, so who knows.
