Ford's 2016 Mock Draft 2.0 (C's go big!)

[Eddie20]

Bender 7-1 ht /9-3 reach/ 7-2 wingspan
Bryant 6-11 ht/ 9-6.5 reach/ 7-6.5 wingspan
Qi 7-2 ht / 9-6.5 reach/ 7-6.5 wingspan

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1. Philadelphia 76ers

Ben Simmons
 LSU
 Freshman
 Forward

Is this the year the Sixers finally finish with the worst record in the NBA (and thus the best chance of winning the lottery)? In 2014, they finished with the second-worst record. In 2015, they were third worst. This year they've won a total of one game all year -- against the Lakers, the second worst team in the league.

I've been wringing my hands a bit over the process lately, but if all of this leads to the Sixers landing Simmons, it might be worth it. While players like Jahlil Okafor, Nerlens Noel and (if he ever gets healthy) Joel Embiid are talented, none of them has Simmons' superstar potential. He's a point guard in the body of an uber-athletic power forward. Put the ball in his hands and the Sixers suddenly become a much more interesting and dangerous team.

Odds of winning lottery (if season ended today): 25 percent

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2. Los Angeles Lakers*

Skal Labissiere
 Kentucky
 Freshman
 Center/forward

Kobe Bryant's retirement should be great news for Lakers fans in the long run. The Lakers are no longer pretending that they are playoff contenders and with Bryant retiring at the end of the season, they can enter into full-scale tank mode. That's important because L.A. must send this pick to the 76ers if it falls to fourth or lower in the lottery. Finishing with the second-worst record gives the Lakers a 56 percent chance of keeping their draft pick.

Labissiere seems like a terrific fit. He has size, athleticism and a versatile offensive game that allows him to stretch the floor. He's off to a slow start at Kentucky, but skilled bigs are all the rage right now in the NBA and with Roy Hibbert heading into free agency next summer, Labissiere would be a major get for the Lakers. Think LaMarcus Aldridge 2.0.

Odds of winning lottery (if season ended today): 19.9 percent

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3. New Orleans Pelicans

Brandon Ingram
 Duke
 Freshman
 Forward

I don't think anyone predicted the Pelicans would get off to such a terrible start. I thought they were a lock for the sixth or seventh seed in the West. But their slow start could be a blessing in disguise in the long run. New Orleans need another elite prospect to pair on the floor with Anthony Davis and landing this high in the lottery could fulfill that need.

Obviously Simmons, who is spending his freshman year at LSU, would be a godsend. But if the Pelicans land here, they'll have a tough decision to make between Ingram and Dragan Bender. Ingram's ability to shoot the ball should put him slightly ahead of Bender. He's long, athletic and has myriad tools for a kid his size. He needs to get stronger -- way stronger -- but he's got a real chance to be a star.

Odds of winning lottery (if season ended today): 15.6 percent

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4. Boston Celtics*

Dragan Bender
 Croatia
 Age: 18
 Forward/center

The Nets will send this pick to the Celtics as part of the Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce trade, regardless of where it lands. Given how poorly they Nets have played thus far, this pick could easily be No. 2 or No. 3. Danny Ainge should name Billy King team MVP this season. Bender's big, skilled, can guard multiple positions and could give the Celtics their best big man since KG.
Odds of winning lottery (if season ended today): 11.9 percent (via Nets)

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5. Sacramento Kings*

Jamal Murray
 Kentucky
 Freshman
 Guard

It seems like the Kings are just superglued to this position in the draft every year, constantly picking somewhere in the mid-lottery. No matter how much talent they add, it never seems to move the needle much when it comes to wins and losses. A lot of that has to do with chemistry and character. No one doubts the individual talents of many of Sacramento's players. But their ability to play collaborative basketball is a major issue.

Murray should change that. Not only will he fill a need a point guard (assuming Rajon Rondo bolts for a bigger market next summer), but the Kings also need a player with his poise and leadership. You can bet that Kris Dunn -- who is a flashier, more athletic, but erratic version of Murray -- will also get a long look here.

Odds of winning lottery (if season ended today): 8.8 percent

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6. Denver Nuggets*

Jaylen Brown
 Cal
 Freshman
 Forward

Denver owns the right to swap picks with the Knicks this year, but given the better than expected start for New York, it's looking more and more likely that the Nuggets will just keep their own pick.

The Nuggets are in the process of an unexpected rebuild. Their last couple of first-rounders (Emmanuel Mudiay and Gary Harris) along with second-round picks Nikola Jokic and Joffrey Lauvergne are showing promise. Adding a versatile, athletic small forward like Brown to the mix gives them promising young players at every position. Brown is blessed with an NBA body, elite athleticism and the ability to play multiple positions on either end of the floor. He's struggling with his jump shot, but he's an elite prospect otherwise.

Odds of winning lottery (if season ended today): 6.3 percent

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7. Portland Trail Blazers*

Henry Ellenson
 Marquette
 Freshman
 Forward/center

The Blazers suffered short-term catastrophic losses to their core this summer, but the long-term outlook is rosy. Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum are a lethal backcourt. Portland just needs more help up front. Ellenson should be a terrific fit. He's big, athletic, skilled and can really stretch the floor. While his shooting numbers are down right now, he's a real threat from 3. In the new NBA, he's the prototypical young 4. The Blazers shouldn't hesitate to grab him if he falls this far.

Odds of winning lottery (if season ended today): 4.3 percent

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8. Milwaukee Bucks

Jakob Poeltl
 Utah
 Sophomore
 Center

The Bucks are another surprise team in the lottery this year. Their defensive numbers have plummeted with the loss of Zaza Pachulia, Ersan Ilyasova and Jared Dudley along with the addition of Greg Monroe in the middle. A rookie probably isn't going to have a major impact right away, but in the long term the addition of a player like Poeltl would give Milwaukee another great option in the paint.

Poeltl is a better shot-blocker and rebounder than Monroe with more mobility. He needs to continue to add strength and toughness, but he's off to a terrific start for the Utes this year and worthy of a pick this high.

Odds of winning lottery (if season ended today): 2.8 percent

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9. Minnesota Timberwolves*

Furkan Korkmaz
 Turkey
 Age: 18
 Forward

The Wolves' strong play shouldn't be that surprising. They have the best young core in basketball and are a legitimate playoff contender with several key veterans coming off the bench. Minnesota must give up its pick to the Celtics if it falls between 13 and 30.

If the Wolves keep it, Korkmaz would be an impressive addition to their abundance of riches. He's a prototypical NBA 2-guard who can both slash to the basket and shoot the 3. He's shooting 40 percent from deep in Euroleague play and 48 percent in the Turkish League.

Odds of winning lottery (if season ended today): 1.7 percent

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10. Phoenix Suns

Kris Dunn
 Providence
 Junior
 Guard

The Suns already have two very good point guards in Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight, but both are really more combo guards in the bodies of point guards. Adding Dunn gives them a strong, athletic point guard who defends, gets to the rim and passes creatively. He could be a great backup in Phoenix. His age and lack of a reliable 3-point stroke are the only things keeping Dunn from being a top-five pick.

Odds of winning lottery: 1.1 percent

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11. Toronto Raptors*

Cheick Diallo
 Kansas
 Freshman
 Forward/center

The Raptors get the worse pick from either the Nuggets or the Knicks this year thanks to the devastating Andrea Bargnani trade from a few years back. With Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis playing so well, it looks likely that the Raptors will end up with New York's pick.

If they do, I think GM Masai Ujiri will be thrilled to add Diallo. Ujiri loves players with toughness and a high motor. Few players in this draft, if any, possess it like Diallo. He might not ever be a superstar, but he's going to have a long career in the league. Think a bigger Kenneth Faried.

Odds of winning lottery (if season ended today): 0.8 percent (via Knicks)

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12. Washington Wizards

Ivan Rabb
 Cal
 Freshman
 Forward/center

I don't expect we'll see the Wizards this high in subsequent mocks, and drafting 12th doesn't come with the same silver lining that the higher teams share. There's a serious dropoff in talent right now right around this spot.

However, Rabb is an interesting prospect. Most scouts felt he'd be at least a two-year player at Cal, but he's off to a very strong start and checks a number of boxes that NBA scouts are looking for in modern bigs. The Wizards have a major hole at the power forward position right now. Rabb would be a great long-term fit.

Odds of winning lottery (if season ended today): 0.7 percent

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13. Detroit Pistons

Damian Jones
 Vanderbilt
 Junior
 Center/forward

The Pistons have one superstar in Andre Drummond but are still trying to figure out the right pieces to put around him. Reggie Jackson is off to a strong start and the Pistons are bullish on the futures of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Stanley Johnson. None of them looks like a star right now, though, and at this point in the draft there aren't any real stars to be had.

Still, Jones would add depth behind Drummond at center and Ilyasova at power forward. There's not a lot of skill to Jones' game, but he's athletic and can finish above the rim.

Odds of winning lottery (if season ended today): 0.6 percent

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14. Orlando Magic



Stephen Zimmerman
 UNLV
 Freshman
 Center

The Magic are in need of a 4 who can both stretch the floor and protect the rim. There aren't any elite prospects left on the board that fit that description, but Zimmerman is solid at both. He is big and mobile with the ability to shoot and pass. He's also averaging two blocks per game for UNLV. Just don't ask him to get physical in the paint.

Odds of winning lottery (if season ended today): 0.5 percent

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15. Denver Nuggets*

Demetrius Jackson
 Notre Dame
 Junior
 Guard

The Rockets are struggling, but right now they're still poised to squeak into the playoffs. If they do, this pick goes to Denver.

Emmanuel Mudiay might be the point guard of the future, but he's having a very up-and-down rookie season. Jameer Nelson has been a solid backup, but Jackson could give them both poise and youth behind Mudiay.

(via Rockets)

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16. Utah Jazz

Caris LeVert
 Michigan
 Senior
 Guard/forward

The Jazz are just loaded with young players at every position, so it's tough to discern a particular need right now. LeVert is an exceptional ball handler for a wing with a very good shot. He has steadily improved every season he's played at Michigan. For a team like the Jazz, who value high basketball IQ and versatile skill sets, he should be a steal.

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17. Memphis Grizzlies*



Timothe Luwawu
 France
 Age: 20
 Guard/forward

Jeff Green and Courtney Lee are both free agents this summer and the Grizzlies could use an infusion of youth on the wing. Luwawu is having a breakout season for Mega Vizura, averaging 16.5 PPG and shooting 42 percent from 3. He's a prototypical NBA wing with length, athleticism and the ability to score from anywhere on the floor.

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18. Boston Celtics*



Thomas Bryant
 Indiana
 Freshman
 Center

Boston's biggest need is for an athletic shot-blocker. However, you're not really going to find one worth taking in the lottery.

Bryant is intriguing. He's big, has a massive wingspan and plays hard. He also has a skill set that allows him to face the basket -- but he's very, very raw. In this draft, that upside probably outweighs what will be a long developmental curve.

(via Mavericks)
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19. Chicago Bulls

Wade Baldwin IV
 Vanderbilt
 Sophomore
 Guard

Derrick Rose could use a long-term backup. Kirk Hinrich is near retirement and Aaron Brooks is a marginal No. 2.

Baldwin is a terrific shooter with good size for his position and can play both backcourt spots. He could work his way into being a terrific option behind Rose.

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20. Boston Celtics



Zhou Qi
 China
 Age: 19
 Center

Given all the young players already on the Celtics, it's hard to imagine that they'll keep all three first-rounders. If they do, taking a young player to stash overseas might be a good play. Zhou is super talented, skilled and long, but his rail-thin body needs to add a lot of muscle. Boston can afford to wait.
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21. Los Angeles Clippers

Isaiah Briscoe
 Kentucky
 Freshman
 Guard

When Austin Rivers is your backup point guard, you need help. I think Doc Rivers will really appreciate what Briscoe brings to the table.

Briscoe already is built like a 10-year NBA vet, but he's also decided to become a lockdown defender at Kentucky. He sees the floor well, can score and has shown a willingness to take a role outside the spotlight. If he were playing at a program where he was the featured star at point guard, I think he'd go even higher.

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22. Philadelphia 76ers*

Malik Newman
 Mississippi State
 Freshman
 Guard

Newman's off to a slow start, but the there's a lot of talent there. He's a little stuck in between positions, but in high school he was one of the best scorers in the country and should be able to play both backcourt positions. Most importantly for Sixers fans? He can shoot.

(via Heat)

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23. Indiana Pacers



Chinanu Onuaku
 Louisville
 Sophomore
 Forward/center

Onuaku might not be much on offense, but he's arguably the best defensive big man in the country. He'd add some toughness and mobility to Indiana's front line, bringing an excellent shot of energy off the bench.

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24. Philadelphia 76ers*

Jonathan Jeanne
 France
 Age: 18
 Center/forward

This would be the third first-round pick for the 76ers. It's doubtful they'll have all three playing next season, especially with the possibility that Dario Saric might also come. Jeanne is all about upside. He has a 7-foot-6 wingspan, runs the floor well and features a nice faceup game. He needs to add a lot of strength, but in a couple of years he could be a real find for Philly.

(via Thunder)

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25. Toronto Raptors

Grayson Allen
 Duke
 Sophomore
 Guard

The Raptors don't necessarily have any other glaring needs, so they might consider Allen here. He could be the most polarizing player in the draft.

Scouts love his toughness, athleticism and ability to shoot the basketball. In his first eight games for Duke he's averaging 21.8 PPG and shooting a red-hot 46 percent from 3. However, his lack of size and struggles running the point raise some red flags, as did a dud of a performance against Kentucky.

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26. Charlotte Hornets

Diamond Stone
 Maryland
 Freshman
 Center

Stone is an old-school big man in the mold of a young Al Jefferson. He's not a great athlete, but he knows how to carve out space and score in the post. Given the diminishing returns that Jefferson brings to the table -- and with bigs like Frank Kaminsky and Cody Zeller already on the roster who can spread the floor -- having someone who makes his living in the paint might make sense for the Hornets.

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27. Atlanta Hawks

Denzel Valentine
 Michigan State
 Senior
 Forward/guard

Kyle Korver and Thabo Sefolosha take the bulk of the minutes at the 2 for the Hawks, but both are on the wrong side of 30 and Atlanta could use an injection of life at the wing. Valentine lacks elite athleticism, but he's become a triple-double machine as a senior and should fit right in with the Hawks' culture.

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28. Phoenix Suns*



Carlton Bragg
 Kansas
 Freshman
 Forward

Bragg is a versatile, athletic forward who can score both facing the basket and in the paint. He plays a limited role on Kansas this year and likely will return for his sophomore season. But if he were to declare, he's a terrific prospect worth gambling on this late in the draft.

(via Cavaliers)

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29. San Antonio Spurs



Domantas Sabonis
 Gonzaga
 Sophomore
 Forward





 Sabonis is the perfect sort of Spurs player -- highly intelligent, tough, super productive, especially as a rebounder, but lacks the flash and upside of players going ahead of him. He'd thrive under Gregg Popovich.

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30. Golden State Warriors

Dwayne Bacon
 Florida State
 Freshman
 Forward/guard

The Warriors already have a treasure trove of talent and don't really need another rookie. Bacon's athleticism, ability to shoot the ball from 3 and versatility make him a great fit if he could ever find a few minutes in Golden State's rotation.

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No. 2: The Lakers will send their first-round pick to the 76ers if it falls between 4 and 30. ... No. 4: The Nets will send their first-round pick to the Celtics. ... No. 5: The Kings will send their first-round pick to the Bulls if it falls between 11 and 30. Also, the Sixers can swap first-round picks with the Kings if the Kings' pick falls between 1 and 10. ... No. 6: The Knicks will send a first-round pick to the Raptors (either their own or the Nuggets, see No. 11). ... No. 7: The Blazers will send their first-round pick to the Nuggets if it falls between 15 and 30. ... No. 9: The Wolves will send their pick to the Celtics if it falls between 13 and 30. ... No. 11: The Nuggets have the right to swap first-round picks with the Knicks. Toronto gets the worse of the two picks. ... No. 15: The Rockets will send their first round-pick to the Nuggets if it falls between 15 and 30. ... No. 17: The Grizzlies will send their first-round pick to the Nuggets if it falls between 6 and 14. ... No. 18: The Mavericks will send their first-round pick to the Celtics if it falls between 8 and 30. ... No. 22: The Heat will send their first-round pick to the 76ers if it falls between 11 and 30. ... No. 24: The Thunder will send their first-round pick to the 76ers if it falls between 16 and 30. The Sixers own the right to swap this pick with the Warriors if the Warriors finish with a worse record than the Thunder. ... No. 28: The Cavs will send their first-round pick to the Suns if it falls between 11 and 30.

[Denis998]

3 more centers, of course. Bender looks terrible imo. Qi is somewhat decent on offense, but the defense is literally non existent. Brown is tenfold the player bender is.

[Eddie20]

3 more centers, of course. Bender looks terrible imo. Qi is somewhat decent on offense, but the defense is literally non existent. Brown is tenfold the player bender is.

Bender looks terrible? Please elaborate.

Bender isnt' really a 5. He's more of a 4/3 hybrid with the size of a 5.

[Big333223]

I just watched the DraftExpress breakdown of Bender and was pretty uninspired by the offensive stuff (although he certainly has potential at just 18 years old) but the defensive stuff made me think I'd be ok with this kid. He's so big, and covers ground so fast, he's nearly the perfect modern NBA defensive center/PF.

His passing ability would also fit Brad Stevens system well. It would be a gamble, but if he seems like a hard working kid, there's a lot of potential there.

[The One]

I think I'm cool with this.

But if we are impatient with James Young, I cannot imagine the hot mess that these three will go through.  None of them will make a significant impact for YEARS!

[Denis998]

3 more centers, of course. Bender looks terrible imo. Qi is somewhat decent on offense, but the defense is literally non existent. Brown is tenfold the player bender is.

Bender looks terrible? Please elaborate.

Bender isnt' really a 5. He's more of a 4/3 hybrid with the size of a 5.

essentially residual lag from the Porzingis hype. In 18 games played: 3.4 ppg, 1.9 rpg, .8 apg, 13.8 PER. A NBA prospect, no matter what league the player is in, should have average stats tenfold the ones he tallied up. What this reminds me of is Hezonja of last years draft, he had stats similar to Benders, and he just about is duplicating Benders current stats in the NBA. If the nets pick lands in the 5-6 range, there are multiple other players worth considering, Simmons, Skal, Ingram, Brown, Murray, and Dunn are all players worth considering over Bender.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I'd like to see more of Jaylen Brown, but that kind of athleticism is very intriguing.

He has the speed, the size and the strength (according to what I've been reading) to be able to develop into a versatile defender. That's worth looking at, even at the #3 - #5 range.

[The One]

I'd like to see more of Jaylen Brown, but that kind of athleticism is very intriguing.

He has the speed, the size and the strength (according to what I've been reading) to be able to develop into a versatile defender. That's worth looking at, even at the #3 - #5 range.

Me too...I know we have Crowder as the incumbent but Jaylen should not be dismissed offhand.

[manl_lui]

I'm not a fan of drafting bigs out of China

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I'd like to see more of Jaylen Brown, but that kind of athleticism is very intriguing.

He has the speed, the size and the strength (according to what I've been reading) to be able to develop into a versatile defender. That's worth looking at, even at the #3 - #5 range.

Me too...I know we have Crowder as the incumbent but Jaylen should not be dismissed offhand.

Why can't we have both? Imagine a very atheltic wing and Jae's tenacity as our SG/SF combo?

[MikeJelly]

Honestly, for me I would like to see the C's get one of these guys (in order)

1. Simmons (Next Superstar, If you get the 1st pick you take him and RUN)
2. Skal (someone fill me in on this kids motor/love for the game. Would he fit our team?)
3. Ingram (Next good SF, though I do already love our Crowder, Turner, Young mix)
4. Brown (Same as Ingram, I hear his motor is great)
5. Bender (Could be the next Porzingis)

Lineups:
1.
IT
Smart (Or AB)
Crowder
Simmons
Sully

2.
IT
Smart (Or AB)
Crowder
Sully
Skal

3.
IT
Smart (Or AB)
Ingram
Crowder
Sully

4.
IT
Smart (Or AB)
Brown
Crowder
Sully

5.
IT
Smart (Or AB)
Crowder
Bender
Sully

Would love to see Young develop a ton and become starting SF and we draft Skal.

IT
Smart (Or AB)
Young
Sully
Skal

The future is so bright folks

[MikeJelly]

I'd like to see more of Jaylen Brown, but that kind of athleticism is very intriguing.

He has the speed, the size and the strength (according to what I've been reading) to be able to develop into a versatile defender. That's worth looking at, even at the #3 - #5 range.

Me too...I know we have Crowder as the incumbent but Jaylen should not be dismissed offhand.

What happens to Smart, AB and IT and that scenario. Do you really have two of them off the bench? If thats the case then I'm all for keeping IT in the starting spot.

Why can't we have both? Imagine a very atheltic wing and Jae's tenacity as our SG/SF combo?

[Evantime34]

Would love Bender at that spot. He's 7 feet tall but hisn the quickness and fluidity to defend on the perimeter. He already has goodmcourt vision and an understanding of spacing. He has all the natural tools to be a star in the nba but it probably will take a while.

I don't mind the Bryant pick because he's a high upside asset at a difficult position to acquire.

If we can't trade our third first round pick (or all our seconds for that matter) then we will need to target draft and stash guy. I prefer the french 7 footer to qi, but I trust the c's to decide between several international guys.

[Eddie20]

3 more centers, of course. Bender looks terrible imo. Qi is somewhat decent on offense, but the defense is literally non existent. Brown is tenfold the player bender is.

Bender looks terrible? Please elaborate.

Bender isnt' really a 5. He's more of a 4/3 hybrid with the size of a 5.

essentially residual lag from the Porzingis hype. In 18 games played: 3.4 ppg, 1.9 rpg, .8 apg, 13.8 PER. A NBA prospect, no matter what league the player is in, should have average stats tenfold the ones he tallied up. What this reminds me of is Hezonja of last years draft, he had stats similar to Benders, and he just about is duplicating Benders current stats in the NBA. If the nets pick lands in the 5-6 range, there are multiple other players worth considering, Simmons, Skal, Ingram, Brown, Murray, and Dunn are all players worth considering over Bender.

Bender has been highly ranked BEFORE the Porzingis hype train. You mentioned Henzonja, but he too is an amazing talent. In the draft it's all about ceiling and few in this one have the ceiling he has when you factor his size, skill, mobility, and age.

[Celtics18]

I've been intrigued by The Dragan Bender for a while now.  Wouldn't hate to see Danny draft him.  He needs to start to shed the perception that he's Anti-Euro.  Bender seems like a good place to start.