Lakers Draft Prospects: Chad Ford Talks Dragan Bender

Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram are expected to fall to the Lakers as the second overall pick, but should the Lakers even consider taking Dragan Bender?

By now you should already know that the race for the first overall pick has become a tony pony race between Brandon Ingram of Duke and Ben Simmons of LSU.

However, ESPN Insiders, Chad Ford and Kevin Pelton recently brought up an interesting name that the Lakers’ will likely scout just as they did Kristaps Porzingis last year.

Seeing as it’s been widely, Simmons this, Ingram that, here is Ford’s brief breakdown of what Dragan Bender could bring to an NBA team:

"He’s (theoretically) a perfect big man in modern NBA offenses and defenses.Offensively, Bender can stretch the floor (he shot 38.6 percent from 3-point range in Israel during the regular season), 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.Defensively, Bender is even better right now — 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."

More from Lake Show Life

Personally, I find it interesting that so many people are so high on a player who only averaged 1.5 points and 1.2 rebounds a game, but perhaps he’s like Kyrie Irving in the 2011 draft. Pelton went on to add,

"As compared to power forwards in the draft, he rates as above average in assist, steal and block rates.In addition to that, it’s important to mention Bender’s age as a strength. He managed to hold his own in a competitive Israeli league despite starting the season at age 17. He’s the youngest player among your top 100 draft prospects."

Similar to Brandon Ingram and Thon Maker, the two men revealed that adding strength should be Bender’s biggest priority this offseason and for years to come.

As mentioned with Chinese prospect Zhou Qi, just as the Yao Ming comparisons will come in flocks, so will the Porzingis comparisons for Bender. In response to this, Ford stated,

"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 of the international scouts I’ve spoken with think Porzingis is a better prospect — though Bender has his fans. . . I’m not sure he has an ideal comp. Perhaps the closest I can come is a much bigger Draymond Green. Same versatility on both ends. Similar motor and athleticism. Just a lot taller and skinnier."

The fact that they’re comparing Bender to Draymond Green and Porzingis, two outliers in the modern NBA, isn’t the most encouraging sign by any means.

Pelton finishes the article by saying “I think there’s a case to be made that even No. 4 is too low for Bender,” and moreover, that “he also deserves consideration from the L.A. Lakers at No. 2,” but how do you pass up on two sure things in Ingram and Simmons for what appears to be the gamble of a lifetime.

It’s easy, you don’t.

Seeing as to what happened last season with Porzingis, I wouldn’t be surprised if reports of “Lakers Impressed With Dragan Bender’s Workouts, Serious Threat At Number Two Pick,” start to emerge close to draft day.

Next: Jordan Clarkson Talks Everything Lakers on Power 106

But don’t kid yourself, with the second overall pick the Los Angeles Lakers will select either Brandon Ingram or Ben Simmons.

Home/Lakers News