Report: Suns will work out Dragan Bender on Saturday
Jun 13, 2016, 10:44 PM
The Phoenix Suns have scheduled a workout Saturday with 18-year-old Croatian forward Dragan Bender, who is widely expected to become a top-five pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
European reporter David Pick said the versatile 7-footer will first visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday before visiting Phoenix and then the Boston Celtics on Tuesday.
Source: Dragan Bender has workouts scheduled in Minnesota on June 16, Phoenix June 18, and Boston June 21.
— David Pick (@IAmDPick) June 13, 2016
Following the NBA Draft Lottery, it appeared the Suns were on the outside looking in when it came to Bender falling to their fourth overall pick.
But as Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram appear to have a stronghold on going first and second, in some order, Washington forward Marquese Chriss has maneuvered from a later-first-round projection into the top five picks. Some like DraftExpress have moved Chriss into the top three of their mock drafts, effectively moving Bender down the draft boards and making him available for the Suns.
The Boston Celtics own the third pick, and if they see a better fit with another player, Bender would become an option for Phoenix.
Of course, there are rumors the Celtics would consider trading their pick, which could obviously change what’s there for the Suns at No. 4.
