EMPIRE OF THE SUNS

Post-draft pod: Suns go for it by drafting Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss

Jun 23, 2016, 11:40 PM | Updated: Jun 24, 2016, 12:01 am

Dragan Bender walks off the stage after being selected fourth overall by the Phoenix Suns during th...

Dragan Bender walks off the stage after being selected fourth overall by the Phoenix Suns during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 23, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

LISTEN: Empire of the Suns

The 2016 NBA Draft wasn’t short on drama, nor did it fail to climax after a week of several eye-popping trades indicated it could be a wild night.

Nope. Instead, draft night went as unpredictably as it could. Even in Phoenix, where the Suns’ favorite options were known, general manager Ryan McDonough was able to turn in easily his most favorable draft yet. While so much is to be determined in how Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss and Tyler Ulis will develop, the Suns at least won this night.

Kevin Zimmerman, Kellan Olson and Bryan Gibberman react below in words and above in a post-draft podcast.

1. The Suns’ 2016 draft night was _____.

Zimmerman: Aggressive. Phoenix may have been an outlier as a team that didn’t surprise in a negative way. From the Celtics picking Jaylen Brown third and Guerschon Yabusele 16th, to Thon Maker going 10, to Caris LeVert being selected 20th, the Suns were far from making questionable choices at every turn.

Olson: Excellent. The Suns got the best fit and player on the board at No. 4 in Dragan Bender. They also used assets they had compiled over the course of Ryan McDonough’s tenure in order to move up in the draft, something that is discussed frequently with teams in the Suns’ position but rarely done. Chriss has a very high ceiling, and Tyler Ulis could wind up being one of the two best point guards in this draft.

Gibberman: Terrific. The Suns didn’t fall into the trap of worrying about now and took who they felt were the best players on the board. I’m not Marquese Chriss’ biggest fan, but the logic behind the pick made sense and I can see what they like him.

2. Was the Chriss trade the wildest of the night? If not, which was?

Zimmerman: The Thunder-Magic trade was shocking on several levels, but the move to acquire Chriss was wild in a surprising way. After rumors about the Suns trying to reboot in a hurry swirled before draft night, the Suns doubled down on two very young prospects they couldn’t choose between, all without giving up a current player. It reflected McDonough’s mindset — Phoenix gave its fans a pleasant surprise by not making a panic move.

Olson: It was wild considering it was a trade in the top-10 of the draft, but the winner is without a doubt the Serge Ibaka trade. The Oklahoma City Thunder were a Klay Thompson flamethrower away from making and possibly winning the NBA Finals, and they have now decided to pick up some cap relief along with a youth injection on the wing and in the post. The wildest part of this trade is that the Thunder are the winners of the trade despite letting go of a major piece in a contender.

Gibberman: The Thunder dealt a core part of what they did with Kevin Durant entering free agency. They no longer have an elite rim protector. Insanity.

3. With Bender and Chriss in tow, how would you like the Suns to hit free agency with their further development in mind?

Zimmerman: The Suns are probably out of the picture in recruiting an All-Star caliber big man, so it’d be best to throw a combination of Chriss and Bender into the fire. Splitting minutes alone would give them ample opportunity without putting pressure on them. Finding a relatively cheap energy big in free agency would help keep the pressure off while allowing the duo to develop.

Olson: Someone like Jon Leuer makes a ton of sense at power forward. They need a temporary replacement level power forward while Bender and Chriss develop. The last thing they should do is commit a large amount of long-term money at the position.

Gibberman: My top priority in free agency would be to find a wing in his early- to mid-20s to supplement the young core.

Empire of the Suns

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

1 day ago

Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns argues a call with official Pat Fraser n the first half as Jere...

Kellan Olson

Suns stumble through latest inexcusable effort, lose to shorthanded Spurs

The Phoenix Suns followed up Saturday's win over the San Antonio Spurs with Monday's offering being more of what we've come to expect.

3 days ago

Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns drives in front of Keldon Johnson #3 of the San Antonio Spurs i...

Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns find better energy for clinical win over Spurs

The Phoenix Suns were overdue for a win like Saturday's 131-106 final over the San Antonio Spurs, taking care of business early.

5 days ago

Jusuf Nurkic #20 of the Phoenix Suns passes over Kyle Lowry #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the...

Kellan Olson

Suns work through typical turnover problems to defeat 76ers

The Phoenix Suns dealt with some of their usual issues while managing a comfortable win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

8 days ago

Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Charlotte Hornets looks on prior to the game against the Miami Heat at FTX ...

Kellan Olson

Isaiah Thomas returns to NBA, Suns after injuries derailed his career in its prime

Isaiah Thomas' NBA journey is a unique one. Here's how he thinks he can help the 2023-24 Phoenix Suns in a return to the league.

9 days ago

Phoenix Suns head coach Frank Vogel looks on during the second quarter against the Boston Celtics  ...

Kellan Olson

Suns in serious jeopardy of play-in tournament fate entering last month of season

You wouldn't have guessed it by watching them over the last two games but the Phoenix Suns are in a precarious position.

9 days ago

Post-draft pod: Suns go for it by drafting Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss