Dragan Bender News, Discussion and Highlights

[gaspar]

Well in that case, it sounds like Igor wasn't ready to give up on him. I'm really hoping Sarver's not deciding these moves. This one makes little sense.

What I understand about his answer is that he believes that there are at least 12 better players on the roster than Bender.

And our team is pretty bad, so enough said.

Yeah, but he's among the youngest, and at least 6 of those guys are likely gone next year (Crawford, Canaan, Ariza, Daniels, Anderson, Chandler). So that leaves him 7th on the pecking order and the only true PF. Maybe 8th if you put Melton ahead of him.

And he's a bargain. We are not going to find 6 guys cheaper. We may sign one or two who will cost more and draft a couple that cost less (if we even have our 2nd rounder next year).

Someone will pick him up and there is a decent chance we regret it, as we've seen many guys leave and do well on other teams. But I guess I'm used to it. Giving up on top 5 picks who are 20 or 21 on cheap rookie contracts is quite ridiculous, but it's Sarver, and a rookie GM in his first few weeks.

What makes you think that? What have you seen from Bender in his career that makes you think that he will ever be a decent rotation player in the NBA? He has no skills, athleticism, fire or work ethic to make it in the league. I have my doubts that he will ever be a rotation player on a top-8 Euroleague team.

[m1chal]

A new regime yet same strategy. We'd be a better team with Len and Payton instead of Chandler and Canaan.
We're going to regret this move.

[bwgood77]

What I understand about his answer is that he believes that there are at least 12 better players on the roster than Bender.

And our team is pretty bad, so enough said.

Yeah, but he's among the youngest, and at least 6 of those guys are likely gone next year (Crawford, Canaan, Ariza, Daniels, Anderson, Chandler). So that leaves him 7th on the pecking order and the only true PF. Maybe 8th if you put Melton ahead of him.

And he's a bargain. We are not going to find 6 guys cheaper. We may sign one or two who will cost more and draft a couple that cost less (if we even have our 2nd rounder next year).

Someone will pick him up and there is a decent chance we regret it, as we've seen many guys leave and do well on other teams. But I guess I'm used to it. Giving up on top 5 picks who are 20 or 21 on cheap rookie contracts is quite ridiculous, but it's Sarver, and a rookie GM in his first few weeks.

What makes you think that? What have you seen from Bender in his career that makes you think that he will ever be a decent rotation player in the NBA? He has no skills, athleticism, fire or work ethic to make it in the league. I have my doubts that he will ever be a rotation player on a top-8 Euroleague team.

He showed he was an above avg 3 pt shooter as a 7 footer last year, and can move around on the perimeter, is 20 and has never gotten proper coaching. I know you're not a fan but the guy hasn't had much of a chance. And last year when he did get a chance he was one of like 3 guys on our team who could spread the floor.

[No Koko]

Yeah, but he's among the youngest, and at least 6 of those guys are likely gone next year (Crawford, Canaan, Ariza, Daniels, Anderson, Chandler). So that leaves him 7th on the pecking order and the only true PF. Maybe 8th if you put Melton ahead of him.

And he's a bargain. We are not going to find 6 guys cheaper. We may sign one or two who will cost more and draft a couple that cost less (if we even have our 2nd rounder next year).

Someone will pick him up and there is a decent chance we regret it, as we've seen many guys leave and do well on other teams. But I guess I'm used to it. Giving up on top 5 picks who are 20 or 21 on cheap rookie contracts is quite ridiculous, but it's Sarver, and a rookie GM in his first few weeks.

What makes you think that? What have you seen from Bender in his career that makes you think that he will ever be a decent rotation player in the NBA? He has no skills, athleticism, fire or work ethic to make it in the league. I have my doubts that he will ever be a rotation player on a top-8 Euroleague team.

He showed he was an above avg 3 pt shooter as a 7 footer last year, and can move around on the perimeter, is 20 and has never gotten proper coaching. I know you're not a fan but the guy hasn't had much of a chance. And last year when he did get a chance he was one of like 3 guys on our team who could spread the floor.

No Bender haters have ever denied any of these things. But his height and shooting don't change the fact that he is too big of a pussy to play in this league. That is not something that will just magically change unless he starts taking steroids.

Also, to say he hasn't had much of a chance is insane. He started in 37 games last year, started in summer league, and got plenty of playing time early in preseason. He has consistently shat the bed and eventually enough is enough.

[bwgood77]

What makes you think that? What have you seen from Bender in his career that makes you think that he will ever be a decent rotation player in the NBA? He has no skills, athleticism, fire or work ethic to make it in the league. I have my doubts that he will ever be a rotation player on a top-8 Euroleague team.

He showed he was an above avg 3 pt shooter as a 7 footer last year, and can move around on the perimeter, is 20 and has never gotten proper coaching. I know you're not a fan but the guy hasn't had much of a chance. And last year when he did get a chance he was one of like 3 guys on our team who could spread the floor.

No Bender haters have ever denied any of these things. But his height and shooting don't change the fact that he is too big of a pussy to play in this league. That is not something that will just magically change unless he starts taking steroids.

Also, to say he hasn't had much of a chance is insane. He started in 37 games last year, started in summer league, and got plenty of playing time early in preseason. He has consistently shat the bed and eventually enough is enough.

Starting in 37 games is enough to evaluate a guy you spent the 4th pick of the draft on? I mean, where we picked him doesn't really matter at this point but still a guy who can shoot and move and is young and tentative like Diaw was when he was 22 isn't a guy you should give up on. Some guys are just tentative at the beginning of their careers like Diaw was and turn into decent players.

We are not in a position to give up young cheap guys who might develop into something, especially at the PF position.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

He showed he was an above avg 3 pt shooter as a 7 footer last year, and can move around on the perimeter, is 20 and has never gotten proper coaching. I know you're not a fan but the guy hasn't had much of a chance. And last year when he did get a chance he was one of like 3 guys on our team who could spread the floor.

No Bender haters have ever denied any of these things. But his height and shooting don't change the fact that he is too big of a pussy to play in this league. That is not something that will just magically change unless he starts taking steroids.

Also, to say he hasn't had much of a chance is insane. He started in 37 games last year, started in summer league, and got plenty of playing time early in preseason. He has consistently shat the bed and eventually enough is enough.

Starting in 37 games is enough to evaluate a guy you spent the 4th pick of the draft on? I mean, where we picked him doesn't really matter at this point but still a guy who can shoot and move and is young and tentative like Diaw was when he was 22 isn't a guy you should give up on. Some guys are just tentative at the beginning of their careers like Diaw was and turn into decent players.

We are not in a position to give up young cheap guys who might develop into something, especially at the PF position.

But it's not about whether he'll develop into *something*. He needs to develop either into a player worth more than $6 million by next year or $7.5 million by the following season (qualifying offer). What if Dragan doesn't blossom until he's 25? That's not abnormal - plenty of players don't find their game until their mid-20s. But in Dragan's case, that would be the final year of whatever 4 year extension we sign him to, meaning that we will have paid him million and millions to develop, but end up with no RFA rights to keep him by the time he actually becomes useful - eight years of paychecks for one year of performance.

I saw a chart a couple seasons ago discussing how teams might be better off going after somewhat older players because the period of contractual control overlaps more with their period of productivity. Mikal Bridges will be 30 the summer he becomes free of our contractual control. Dragan was a baby when we drafted him and hasn't shown enough to make his RFA rights valuable. I get it. I hate it but I get it. Mostly, I just hate it.

[bwgood77]

No Bender haters have ever denied any of these things. But his height and shooting don't change the fact that he is too big of a pussy to play in this league. That is not something that will just magically change unless he starts taking steroids.

Also, to say he hasn't had much of a chance is insane. He started in 37 games last year, started in summer league, and got plenty of playing time early in preseason. He has consistently shat the bed and eventually enough is enough.

Starting in 37 games is enough to evaluate a guy you spent the 4th pick of the draft on? I mean, where we picked him doesn't really matter at this point but still a guy who can shoot and move and is young and tentative like Diaw was when he was 22 isn't a guy you should give up on. Some guys are just tentative at the beginning of their careers like Diaw was and turn into decent players.

We are not in a position to give up young cheap guys who might develop into something, especially at the PF position.

But it's not about whether he'll develop into *something*. He needs to develop either into a player worth more than $6 million by next year or $7.5 million by the following season (qualifying offer). What if Dragan doesn't blossom until he's 25? That's not abnormal - plenty of players don't find their game until their mid-20s. But in Dragan's case, that would be the final year of whatever 4 year extension we sign him to, meaning that we will have paid him million and millions to develop, but end up with no RFA rights to keep him by the time he actually becomes useful - eight years of paychecks for one year of performance.

I saw a chart a couple seasons ago discussing how teams might be better off going after somewhat older players because the period of contractual control overlaps more with their period of productivity. Mikal Bridges will be 30 the summer he becomes free of our contractual control. Dragan was a baby when we drafted him and hasn't shown enough to make his RFA rights valuable. I get it. I hate it but I get it. Mostly, I just hate it.

He doesn't have to be worth $6 million next year. Almost all players are overpaid. Booker will not be worth his contract next year unless he learns defense, which is about as probable as Bender being worth $6 million. Ariza and Anderson are not worth their contracts. Most PGs are not nearly worth what they make. JJ isn't worth his contract right now and probably won't be next year but we picked up his option and he's older than Bender. We could always deal him for a 2nd because several teams will want to take a chance on him. He may not pan out but it's worth a shot when he finally has a good coach. Too late now though.

[sunsbg]

Starting in 37 games is enough to evaluate a guy you spent the 4th pick of the draft on? I mean, where we picked him doesn't really matter at this point but still a guy who can shoot and move and is young and tentative like Diaw was when he was 22 isn't a guy you should give up on. Some guys are just tentative at the beginning of their careers like Diaw was and turn into decent players.

We are not in a position to give up young cheap guys who might develop into something, especially at the PF position.

But it's not about whether he'll develop into *something*. He needs to develop either into a player worth more than $6 million by next year or $7.5 million by the following season (qualifying offer). What if Dragan doesn't blossom until he's 25? That's not abnormal - plenty of players don't find their game until their mid-20s. But in Dragan's case, that would be the final year of whatever 4 year extension we sign him to, meaning that we will have paid him million and millions to develop, but end up with no RFA rights to keep him by the time he actually becomes useful - eight years of paychecks for one year of performance.

I saw a chart a couple seasons ago discussing how teams might be better off going after somewhat older players because the period of contractual control overlaps more with their period of productivity. Mikal Bridges will be 30 the summer he becomes free of our contractual control. Dragan was a baby when we drafted him and hasn't shown enough to make his RFA rights valuable. I get it. I hate it but I get it. Mostly, I just hate it.

He doesn't have to be worth $6 million next year. Almost all players are overpaid. Booker will not be worth his contract next year unless he learns defense, which is about as probable as Bender being worth $6 million. Ariza and Anderson are not worth their contracts. Most PGs are not nearly worth what they make. JJ isn't worth his contract right now and probably won't be next year but we picked up his option and he's older than Bender. We could always deal him for a 2nd because several teams will want to take a chance on him. He may not pan out but it's worth a shot when he finally has a good coach. Too late now though.

The management is probably as sick from losing by playing young under-performing players as all of us. Seems they have decided to fill the roster around Devin and Deandre with quality veterans(obviously not Ariza and Anderson). Whether they can do it is another story.

Next year's draft is rich on PFs and lacks quality PGs, so Bender's 6M could be spend on another PF prospect, with a good chance of being better than Dragan.

If Bender becomes "something" in the future, which looks unlikely as even the new coach has freezed him on the bench, try to bring him back.

[bwgood77]

But it's not about whether he'll develop into *something*. He needs to develop either into a player worth more than $6 million by next year or $7.5 million by the following season (qualifying offer). What if Dragan doesn't blossom until he's 25? That's not abnormal - plenty of players don't find their game until their mid-20s. But in Dragan's case, that would be the final year of whatever 4 year extension we sign him to, meaning that we will have paid him million and millions to develop, but end up with no RFA rights to keep him by the time he actually becomes useful - eight years of paychecks for one year of performance.

I saw a chart a couple seasons ago discussing how teams might be better off going after somewhat older players because the period of contractual control overlaps more with their period of productivity. Mikal Bridges will be 30 the summer he becomes free of our contractual control. Dragan was a baby when we drafted him and hasn't shown enough to make his RFA rights valuable. I get it. I hate it but I get it. Mostly, I just hate it.

He doesn't have to be worth $6 million next year. Almost all players are overpaid. Booker will not be worth his contract next year unless he learns defense, which is about as probable as Bender being worth $6 million. Ariza and Anderson are not worth their contracts. Most PGs are not nearly worth what they make. JJ isn't worth his contract right now and probably won't be next year but we picked up his option and he's older than Bender. We could always deal him for a 2nd because several teams will want to take a chance on him. He may not pan out but it's worth a shot when he finally has a good coach. Too late now though.

The management is probably as sick from losing by playing young under-performing players as all of us. Seems they have decided to fill the roster around Devin and Deandre with quality veterans(obviously not Ariza and Anderson). Whether they can do it is another story.

Next year's draft is rich on PFs and lacks quality PGs, so Bender's 6M could be spend on another PF prospect, with a good chance of being better than Dragan.

Next year's draft is rich on wings, not power forwards or point guards for that matter. Sekou is a PF but he can't shoot.

[sunsbg]

He doesn't have to be worth $6 million next year. Almost all players are overpaid. Booker will not be worth his contract next year unless he learns defense, which is about as probable as Bender being worth $6 million. Ariza and Anderson are not worth their contracts. Most PGs are not nearly worth what they make. JJ isn't worth his contract right now and probably won't be next year but we picked up his option and he's older than Bender. We could always deal him for a 2nd because several teams will want to take a chance on him. He may not pan out but it's worth a shot when he finally has a good coach. Too late now though.

The management is probably as sick from losing by playing young under-performing players as all of us. Seems they have decided to fill the roster around Devin and Deandre with quality veterans(obviously not Ariza and Anderson). Whether they can do it is another story.

Next year's draft is rich on PFs and lacks quality PGs, so Bender's 6M could be spend on another PF prospect, with a good chance of being better than Dragan.

Next year's draft is rich on wings, not power forwards or point guards for that matter. Sekou is a PF but he can't shoot.

Porter got injured and it depends on how you look at Zion. Anyway, even one of the C prospects may be more valuable then Bender and there is also the option to play a SF(how about Warren) at PF as many teams do.

[bwgood77]

The management is probably as sick from losing by playing young under-performing players as all of us. Seems they have decided to fill the roster around Devin and Deandre with quality veterans(obviously not Ariza and Anderson). Whether they can do it is another story.

Next year's draft is rich on PFs and lacks quality PGs, so Bender's 6M could be spend on another PF prospect, with a good chance of being better than Dragan.

Next year's draft is rich on wings, not power forwards or point guards for that matter. Sekou is a PF but he can't shoot.

Porter got injured and it depends on how you look at Zion. Anyway, even one of the C prospects may be more valuable then Bender and there is also the option to play a SF(how about Warren) at PF as many teams do.

Yeah, I'd play Warren there now. I'll have to see how Zion shoots and defends this year....he's obviously talented but just a guy who can dunk and has a handle I'm not sure is what we need. But we need to take BPA. I do like Jontay...he will probably drop though like his brother.

[MathiasPW]

They might even be willing to give Bender another chance, but definitely not for the $6 M he he is owed.

He will have the rest of the season to prove himself and try to get another contract, which will certainly be lower than that.

[No Koko]

What pisses me off is that Bender fooled us all in the first couple of games last year with his defense. For some reason he was actually trying to guard people and block shots, and was a very positive defender. Then he started playing defense like a total pussy for the rest of the season, constantly having his arms below his waist and sagging off way too much. He was too scared to guard anyone, and became one of the worst defenders in the league. What the hell happened there? Was it the coaching change?

[WeekapaugGroove]

But it's not about whether he'll develop into *something*. He needs to develop either into a player worth more than $6 million by next year or $7.5 million by the following season (qualifying offer). What if Dragan doesn't blossom until he's 25? That's not abnormal - plenty of players don't find their game until their mid-20s. But in Dragan's case, that would be the final year of whatever 4 year extension we sign him to, meaning that we will have paid him million and millions to develop, but end up with no RFA rights to keep him by the time he actually becomes useful - eight years of paychecks for one year of performance.

I saw a chart a couple seasons ago discussing how teams might be better off going after somewhat older players because the period of contractual control overlaps more with their period of productivity. Mikal Bridges will be 30 the summer he becomes free of our contractual control. Dragan was a baby when we drafted him and hasn't shown enough to make his RFA rights valuable. I get it. I hate it but I get it. Mostly, I just hate it.

He doesn't have to be worth $6 million next year. Almost all players are overpaid. Booker will not be worth his contract next year unless he learns defense, which is about as probable as Bender being worth $6 million. Ariza and Anderson are not worth their contracts. Most PGs are not nearly worth what they make. JJ isn't worth his contract right now and probably won't be next year but we picked up his option and he's older than Bender. We could always deal him for a 2nd because several teams will want to take a chance on him. He may not pan out but it's worth a shot when he finally has a good coach. Too late now though.

The management is probably as sick from losing by playing young under-performing players as all of us. Seems they have decided to fill the roster around Devin and Deandre with quality veterans(obviously not Ariza and Anderson). Whether they can do it is another story.

Next year's draft is rich on PFs and lacks quality PGs, so Bender's 6M could be spend on another PF prospect, with a good chance of being better than Dragan.

If Bender becomes "something" in the future, which looks unlikely as even the new coach has freezed him on the bench, try to bring him back.

Sick of losing with young guys so instead they now get their ass beat with old guys. Super

I was in favor of picking up his option but it's hard to judge him not seeing him every day in practice. It's possible this coaching staff who does see him every day just simply thinks he stinks.

It's a bit of a log jam for him at PF. Warren is exclusively playing the 4 this year and that's probably what he is in todays NBA. Anderson is the guy he could replace. I really do wonder if they made Anderson some type of playing time promise in return for him agreeing to lower his guaranteed money for next season.

[handsome salary]

Is picking Ayton worth Bender and Chriss being completely worthless picks?

[Qwigglez]

Is picking Ayton worth Bender and Chriss being completely worthless picks?

Definitely. Rather have Ayton and what he will become over Bender/Chriss becoming possible role players.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Is picking Ayton worth Bender and Chriss being completely worthless picks?

Would you trade Ayton for Jamal Murray and Sabonis?

[bwgood77]

Is picking Ayton worth Bender and Chriss being completely worthless picks?

Definitely. Rather have Ayton and what he will become over Bender/Chriss becoming possible role players.

I think the question he is asking is more like, was it worth it to make such bad picks that it allowed us to be soooo bad that we were able to get Ayton?

[No Koko]

Is picking Ayton worth Bender and Chriss being completely worthless picks?

Definitely. Rather have Ayton and what he will become over Bender/Chriss becoming possible role players.

I think the question more is, was it worth it to make such bad picks that it allowed us to be soooo bad that we were able to get Ayton?

If Ayton becomes an MVP level talent, which I believe will happen, then it was totally worth sucking for 3 years to get him. No question.

[sunsbg]

Is picking Ayton worth Bender and Chriss being completely worthless picks?

Definitely. Rather have Ayton and what he will become over Bender/Chriss becoming possible role players.

I think the question more is, was it worth it to make such bad picks that it allowed us to be soooo bad that we were able to get Ayton?

Which leads to the question will Ayton and Booker lead the team to a championship or at least good times ? I believe in the later, nobody can really predict the former right now.

All this tanking is really worthy only if you end with franchise players and not role players, obtainable via free agency or trades.