Lakers Draft Prospects: Mitch Kupchak Overseas Scouting Dragan Bender
By Eric Yee
The Lakers’ recent scouting trips show how Kristaps Porzingis‘ success lays heavy on their minds
This past off season the Los Angeles Lakers were extremely high on Latvian center, Kristaps Porzingis, and after his Las Vegas workout, the team was even rumored to be contemplating taking him with the second overall pick.
After much deliberation they decided to go another direction entirely, opting to take D’Angelo Russell over the pick previously assumed to be Jahlil Okafor.
However, with reports of LA’s recent scouting ventures, it becomes ever apparent that Kristaps Porzingis’ strong start of the season has had its toll on the Purple and Gold.
Per Baxter Holmes, GM Mitch Kupchak is currently overseas scouting Dragan Bender along with other European League players.
Source confirms reports that LAL GM Mitch Kupchak is overseas scouting Croatian 7-footer Dragan Bender, a potential top-5 pick this summer.
— Baxter Holmes (@Baxter) March 17, 2016
At 7’1, DraftExpress has Bender pegged to go in the top five, which is confusing considering how he is only averaging 4.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game.
That said, it’s only when you watch his film that his appeal becomes more obvious. Unlike the sharp shooting, rebounding machine that is Porzingis, Bender seems to be more like a 7-foot, raw, less athletic, Mario Hezonja. Perhaps more Andrei Kirilenko than anything else.
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Ironically, his shot is improving and his technique actually resembles Porzingis’ at first glance. Bender’s biggest asset seems to be his ability to handle the ball and push the break in the open court which is a rare skill for a 7-footer to have.
Similar to most 18 year olds entering the draft, he has a ways to go in terms of physical development, but that will come along with age.
Admittedly, though I don’t watch college hoops on a regular basis, unless the recruiting field is a lot thinner than expected and I’m missing something from his scouting reports, selecting an extremely raw, 18 year old, unproven European center in the top three, let alone the top five, seems to be a bit of a stretch.
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If the Lakers end up keeping their pick, unless Bender shows rapid development in the coming months, it’s unlikely that he will actually be on their radar, but stranger things have happened.