Dragan Bender Working Out for the Boston Celtics

Apr 24, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; A general view of TD Garden prior to the first round of the NBA Playoffs between the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; A general view of TD Garden prior to the first round of the NBA Playoffs between the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

There is much speculation about where the Boston Celtics might go with the third pick, and Dragan Bender‘s workout could prove to be vital considering how little he has played. The Celtics have already visited the prospect overseas, but more time with him will only help them make sure they make the right decision.

Some prospects like to be selective with their workouts, but Bender is still in a position where he needs to prove something to the Celtics. With such a clean slate he can stand to gain a lot of ground in the minds of the Celtics.

The youngest player in the draft is also one of the riskier picks, particularly at third overall. Bender needs to figure out if he can address areas of concern for the Celtics, to help install the confidence they need to make him their selection. Bender is much more of a mystery than other recent international selections. Players like Porzingis and Hezonja were at least featured players in europe.

At just 18 years old Bender barely sees the floor, and has almost no significant minutes for teams to look at to get a gauge of what kind of player he is. These workouts and more important for Bender than any other prospect in the draft because it makes up too much more of their evaluation.

Bender has a lot working against him given how risky of an option he is. There are multiple different ways the Celtics can go with the third pick, and there are many different kinds of players they can get. Jamal Murray, Jaylen Brown, Marquese, Chriss and Buddy Hield  could all be potential targets for the Celtics, giving Bender a lot of competition to overcome.

March 10, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Dwayne Benjamin (0) shoots the basketball against Washington Huskies forward Marquese Chriss (0) during the second half of the Pac-12 Conference tournament at MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Ducks defeated the Huskies 83-77. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 10, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Dwayne Benjamin (0) shoots the basketball against Washington Huskies forward Marquese Chriss (0) during the second half of the Pac-12 Conference tournament at MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Ducks defeated the Huskies 83-77. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Bender has the high end potential that make him the kind of player that you want to be taking a risk on. But from the perspective of a GM, they can do a much better job of evaluating the players that have enough tape and experience on the court. There is a lot of high end potential for the Celtics to choose from at number three and Bender is the only one that does not have at least one full season in college.

Bender needs to show the Celtics as much as possible and he needs to impress them as much as possible. Murray and Hield have both already worked out for the Celtics, and both of them put on a shooting clinic. There are a lot safer options for the Celtics, but seeing him in person multiple times will put them in the best possible position.

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Bender knows he has an opportunity to be selected third overall and he is making sure to give the Celtics as many opportunities to gauge how good he could be for them.