Dragan Bender is the Best Option at No. 3

The Boston Celtics did not see themselves make any jump in the draft lottery, staying exactly where they were supposed to with the third pick. The unfortunate part of picking third, particularly for the Celtics, is that the two best forwards in the draft are expected to go number one and two. The Celtics desperately need to improve their front court and there is next to no chance they will land potential superstars in Brandon Ingram and Ben Simmons.

Picking at number three does, however, give the Celtics a lot more freedom. The entire lottery is incredibly uncertain after those first two picks and that will put the Celtics in a position to pick between a multitude of players that can address one of the many needs for the team.

Even though the top two forwards in the draft are likely to be off the board, the Celtics need to stick to drafting a big and, even at third overall, they do not have to reach to get the forward that may be the best fit for them in this draft, Dragan Bender.

Bender is one of the great mysteries of this draft. It may be the riskiest option for the Celtics at three but they cannot be picking scared. The is very little evidence out there to gauge what kind of player Bender will be able to become, but the upside and great fit in Stevens’ system makes him a phenomenal option for the Celtics.

Bender does not possess the athleticism or explosiveness to really help the Celtics’ interior defense. He will not be an intimidating shot blocker and is unlikely to force defenses to adjust how they attack the rim. Bender has the size to be a relaible defender in the paint, but if they pick Bender it will be for his potential to be an ideal stretch forward for the Celtics.

Shooting was the Celtics’ biggest area of concern this season and Bender could immediately be in contention for the best shooter in their front court. What makes Bender even more intriguing is that he certainly has the potential to be much more than just a shooter. Bender moves well and should be a factor in transition. Perhaps his most important feature, however, is his ball handling. The Celtics have no front court players that can run the offense and play with the ball in their hands. Bender can be that player that gives the Celtics the boost they need in the front court, not just with his shooting, but with his overall impact as an offensive force.

It is very difficult to gauge how it will translate to the NBA, but Bender appears to have a great feel for the game, and is a player that Stevens will be able to trust with the ball in his hands. The Celtics desperately need him to be that stretch four that they have been searching for but establishing a level of trust with Stevens will be even more important. The Celtics need offensive difference makers in their front court that can do multiple things, on top of shooting.

Bender may not be an imposing defensive force but has a lot of versatility on that end. The Celtics will be able to trust Bender to be a ball handler on the offensive end, and they will be able to trust him as one of their best front court defenders.

Bender has a lot of skills and potential that really jump out at you. The uncertainty is incredibly risky but the level of trust that should immediately be in play with Bender makes him the best option at number three. If the selection is not Bender, then it is likely to be another guard for the Celtics and they need to start putting together a better front court core and Bender would be the best piece currently on the Celtics if drafted.

The Celtics have spent all kinds of drat picks solidifying their back court and adding someone like Kris Dunn or Buddy Hield may be a safer option at three, but the reality of the situation is that the Celtics no longer need to draft guards. The have all kinds of youth and potential in their back court and drafting yet another guard that is expected to immediately be a factor will stunt someone’s development.

Bender is the best option for the Celtics because he address’ arguably their biggest need in having great offensive potential in the front court and all the risk around drafting a player as uncetain as Bender is lessened considering how trustworthy he should be with his ability to play within Stevens’ system.

The Celtics should be able to trust Bender on both ends and that alone will give him all the opportunities he needs to properly adjust to the NBA. The Celtics will not be able to run the offense around Bender until he develops and becomes more comfortable in the NBA. He does, however, have enough reliability shooting, and with the ball in his hands, that Stevens will have no problem giving him that grace period to adjust. Throw in the lack of talent in the front court and Bender should not have to worry about potentially losing playing time and is the best candidate to be a day one starter at number three..

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Bender appears to have all the offensive versatility and skills that the Celtics have continually looked for in their front court. The way he plays establishes the trust that should overcome any uncertainty about his ability to play in the NBA and if Jordan Mickey is able to bring the athleticism and shot blocking, Bender can bring everything else the Celtics could possibly want from a front court player.