Dragan Bender, Maccabi Tel Aviv
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjDusF1KZWE
Age: 18 years old Size: 7’1, 225 pounds
Last Year’s Stats: 2.1 points; 1.4 rebounds; 0.6 assists per game
Percentages: 33.3% from the field; 25% from three-point; 50 % from the free throw line
If the Nuggets somehow had a chance to draft Bender with the seventh pick in the draft, all would be right after not moving up in the lottery for the eighth consecutive time. His fit with the Nuggets is undeniable. The enormity of issues for the Denver Nuggets are centered around their lack of perimeter shooting and perimeter defense, which fits right into Bender’s wheelhouse. While adding a three-point happy guard may work in the long haul, in the grand scheme of things, adding a stretch four could space the floor even more than someone like a Jamal Murray or Buddy Hield. Having both of your frontcourt players able to expand the floor and open up the lane for Mudiay is the key to creating an ultra-efficient offense. With Nikola Jokic most comfortable operating out of either post and Bender’s game being much more perimeter oriented, they match extremely well together.
Being 7-foot-1, with blindingly quick feet, gives Bender the added benefit of being able to play as a small-ball center, power forward, or even a small forward in certain lineups. He does have a shell of a post game and has the lateral quickness and fast-twitch type movements that will allow him to develop more post moves and counter moves as he develops more in the NBA.
His three-point shot is smooth as Sinatra and his first step is much quicker than most believe. Add in NBA level vision and handles coupled with the added benefit of a high basketball IQ and he has the potential to be an above average offensive player. With Jokic able to step out to the corner when Bender makes a move to the basket you create space in both facets. Do you give up the corner three to the Jokic or do you provide help defense to your power forward who got beat off the dribble by Bender? The mismatches are endless based on each Bender and Jokic’s versatility.
Bender’s ability to switch on pick-and-roll defense is what could catapult his game from a spot-up-shooting stretch four, with some handles, into a two-way monster. If Bender is able to bulk up and play longer stretches as a small ball center you could play him in a lineup such as Mudiay, Harris, Chandler, Gallinari and Bender and switch every pick and roll. While Bender struggles rebounding defensively, he has proven that he can contain guards on the perimeter, as well as block shots from the weak side.
Another added benefit of the Nuggets drafting Bender is their European connections. With so many players from overseas it will make the transition into the NBA lifestyle much easier for him. Arturas Karnisovas has likely already met and talked with Bender overseas at some point, being as connected as he is. The Nuggets have been impeccable recently in their foreign scouting.
Most mock drafts have Dragan Bender between 3-6 but with the majority of the lottery being virtually interchangeable, anything could happen. Even Emmanuel Mudiay fell to the Nuggets at seven after being slated to go 2-6 the entire draft process. If the Nuggets are blessed by the basketball gods and somehow have a chance to pick Bender, then they should do so with no hesitation.
