Jackie MacMullan on CSNNE, says Celtics intrigued by Dragan Bender

[chambers]

Can't find a link to it online yet, but she was just on CNNSE.

Quick off the top summary:
Just spent a few days with the Kings. She says they are not quite ready to give up on Cousins. She was sort of cringing talking about Cousins- while acknowledging his great talent, basically saying what a jerk he is (my word, not hers).

Would she trade the 2016 Nets pick for him? No.
Would she trade the 2017 or 2018 Nets pick for him? (Begrudgingly) yes.

Was asked- is the draft more than Simmons? She mentioned the Celtics are intrigued by Bender.


If anyone finds a link please add to this thread.
If we end up at #3,#4 or #5 then Bender is definitely a solid option.

[boscel33]

I hope not.  Personally, I think our biggest weakness is a scorer in the form of a 3.  Looking at mocks and prospects, there appear to be three really good ones: Simmons, Ingram, and Brown.  If we wind up at #3, I take whichever is on the board.

[chambers]

I hope not.  Personally, I think our biggest weakness is a scorer in the form of a 3.  Looking at mocks and prospects, there appear to be three really good ones: Simmons, Ingram, and Brown.  If we wind up at #3, I take whichever is on the board.

I'm with you man.

It will be utterly heartbreaking to land outside the top 3 picks.

I guess the C's are planning for the 'worst', even though getting Dragan Bender would be a nice consolation prize.

[saltlover]

I hope not.  Personally, I think our biggest weakness is a scorer in the form of a 3.  Looking at mocks and prospects, there appear to be three really good ones: Simmons, Ingram, and Brown.  If we wind up at #3, I take whichever is on the board.

Jaylen Brown needs to improve his outside shot a lot before one can call him a scorer from the 3.  Simmons is the rare player who can score as a SF without such a shot, and even he would benefit a ton from being at least a threat if left open on the perimeter.  Brown will quickly find that NBA players are not as easy to overpower as high school and college players are.

Don't get me wrong, I'll be happy with Brown, but Bender projects as a better scorer.  He also is under contract in Israel for a few more years, which is important given the number of picks we have, players we have under contract next year, and cap space to use.

[Yenohb]

I hope not.  Personally, I think our biggest weakness is a scorer in the form of a 3.  Looking at mocks and prospects, there appear to be three really good ones: Simmons, Ingram, and Brown.  If we wind up at #3, I take whichever is on the board.

Jaylen Brown needs to improve his outside shot a lot before one can call him a scorer from the 3.  Simmons is the rare player who can score as a SF without such a shot, and even he would benefit a ton from being at least a threat if left open on the perimeter.  Brown will quickly find that NBA players are not as easy to overpower as high school and college players are.

Don't get me wrong, I'll be happy with Brown, but Bender projects as a better scorer.  He also is under contract in Israel for a few more years, which is important given the number of picks we have, players we have under contract next year, and cap space to use.

This.

[CFAN38]

Having watched CAL vs Virginia last night I would stay away from Brown and Bender is my clear #3. I would also go as fare to probably place Poetlt and Ellenson ahead of Brown in my top 10.

I think Bender would long term make for a great fit with BS. As he gains weight and strength he will bring Center size to the court with a SFs perimeter game. Where KO currently gives the Cs some of this Bender should be better at every facet of the game then KO over the long run.

[PhoSita]

Yeah I've gotta say, if that Nets pick turns into, I dunno, Nikola Mirotic 2.0, and we don't even see that guy for a few years, that'll be a bummer.  I mean, I like Mirotic.  But we really need that pick to turn into somebody special.

[Denis998]

im here to portray my resent for bender as an nba player.

[saltlover]

Yeah I've gotta say, if that Nets pick turns into, I dunno, Nikola Mirotic 2.0, and we don't even see that guy for a few years, that'll be a bummer.  I mean, I like Mirotic.  But we really need that pick to turn into somebody special.

And what if you had to wait a couple years for Porzingis 2.0.  Would that be all right?  I'm not saying Bender is Porzingis, nor am I saying he's Mirotic.  Just wondering if there's a caliber of player you're willing to wait for.

Also, what if the cap space saved by say, the #3 pick staying overseas, enables us to sign two max free agents next summer?  Would it then be all right for that pick to only become Mirotic after a wait? We're right on the edge of being able to afford two, and where our draft picks slot will have an impact.  Obviously Ainge would still have to convince two to come here, but if you don't have the room to begin with, you can't even start the negotiations.

[CFAN38]

Yeah I've gotta say, if that Nets pick turns into, I dunno, Nikola Mirotic 2.0, and we don't even see that guy for a few years, that'll be a bummer.  I mean, I like Mirotic.  But we really need that pick to turn into somebody special.

And what if you had to wait a couple years for Porzingis 2.0.  Would that be all right?  I'm not saying Bender is Porzingis, nor am I saying he's Mirotic.  Just wondering if there's a caliber of player you're willing to wait for.

Also, what if the cap space saved by say, the #3 pick staying overseas, enables us to sign two max free agents next summer?  Would it then be all right for that pick to only become Mirotic after a wait? We're right on the edge of being able to afford two, and where our draft picks slot will have an impact.  Obviously Ainge would still have to convince two to come here, but if you don't have the room to begin with, you can't even start the negotiations.

I agree if the Cs draft Bender #3 and he stays over seas for 1-2 years im 100% fine with that. The Cs have so many young pieces and picks that the roster space and developmental minutes could be a blessing long term. This is a stable franchise with good ownership, a good GM and a good coach the Celtics can be patient. This is not true for alot of teams.

Yeah I've gotta say, if that Nets pick turns into, I dunno, Nikola Mirotic 2.0, and we don't even see that guy for a few years, that'll be a bummer.  I mean, I like Mirotic.  But we really need that pick to turn into somebody special.

And what if you had to wait a couple years for Porzingis 2.0.  Would that be all right?  I'm not saying Bender is Porzingis, nor am I saying he's Mirotic.  Just wondering if there's a caliber of player you're willing to wait for.

Also, what if the cap space saved by say, the #3 pick staying overseas, enables us to sign two max free agents next summer?  Would it then be all right for that pick to only become Mirotic after a wait? We're right on the edge of being able to afford two, and where our draft picks slot will have an impact.  Obviously Ainge would still have to convince two to come here, but if you don't have the room to begin with, you can't even start the negotiations.

I agree if the Cs draft Bender #3 and he stays over seas for 1-2 years im 100% fine with that. The Cs have so many young pieces and picks that the roster space and developmental minutes could be a blessing long term. This is a stable franchise with good ownership, a good GM and a good coach the Celtics can be patient. This is not true for alot of teams.

Look at it this way what if Bender stays over seas for the 2016-2017 season Sully and instead of minutes going to Bender KO finds a consistent place in the rotation and starts getting around 25mpg and averaging 12pt 7rb and Mickey enter the rotation as a 15mpg guy and excels. If his staying away allows others to develop it really could help this team long term.

[i believe in brad]

Having watched CAL vs Virginia last night I would stay away from Brown and Bender is my clear #3. I would also go as fare to probably place Poetlt and Ellenson ahead of Brown in my top 10.

UVA has a suffocating D but I too was not impressed.  I want someone with a better shot, but that's probably too much to ask from some freshman in college. 

In my mind the case for Brown on the C's is if you give him any opening to the hoop he will take it and finish, something we are lacking on this team. 

[LooseCannon]

I hope not.  Personally, I think our biggest weakness is a scorer in the form of a 3.  Looking at mocks and prospects, there appear to be three really good ones: Simmons, Ingram, and Brown.  If we wind up at #3, I take whichever is on the board.

If you subscribe to the idea that the Celtics need to acquire stars, I think you go for the best player available with the most star potential, regardless of position.

[chambers]

Personally I want Brown or Ingram if we can't get Simmons.

Brown's only real weakness is his 3 point shot in the NCAA. I'm pretty sure in high school he shot over 35% from three.

The guy is a freak of nature and it's not like his shot is completely broken like Rondo or Simmons...his mechanics are good and with an NBA practice/shooting routine he could fix it in an offseason.

Who knows, he could shoot 40% from three by the end of the season.

The guy is a 6'7" version of Russell Westbrook in the open court and can create his own shot off the dribble. Elite defender too.
Very rare to have a guy that's so solid, so fast, finishes around the rim AND plays all American defense.

In the NBA he's going to live at the free throw line like Wade/Westbrook/Harden because you can't stop freight trains at full speed like that.

On one of the draft sites (DX?) they said 'very low bust potential', which is completely true.

-He's got legitimate All Star potential
-He's got legitimate All NBA defensive potential
-He's got size, strength, and talent.
-He's made of iron (zero injury history and has missed 2 games ever throughout high school/college.

He's a 'can't miss' prospect to me. Dwayne Wade is a hall of famer and he's never had a 3 point shot because he can get to the line.


Ingram has the potential to be the better player over Brown given his skillset, size and shooting ability. He doesn't need athleticism but he can still jump out of the gym.

I'd say my ultimate choice over Ingram or Brown would be Ingram right now. He has hall of fame potential whereas I'm not sure that Brown does so much.

[PhoSita]

Yeah I've gotta say, if that Nets pick turns into, I dunno, Nikola Mirotic 2.0, and we don't even see that guy for a few years, that'll be a bummer.  I mean, I like Mirotic.  But we really need that pick to turn into somebody special.

And what if you had to wait a couple years for Porzingis 2.0.  Would that be all right?  I'm not saying Bender is Porzingis, nor am I saying he's Mirotic.  Just wondering if there's a caliber of player you're willing to wait for.

Also, what if the cap space saved by say, the #3 pick staying overseas, enables us to sign two max free agents next summer?  Would it then be all right for that pick to only become Mirotic after a wait? We're right on the edge of being able to afford two, and where our draft picks slot will have an impact.  Obviously Ainge would still have to convince two to come here, but if you don't have the room to begin with, you can't even start the negotiations.

Of course I'd be willing to wait if that's what is necessary.

I'm just tired of waiting for the next big thing to finally get on the roster.  Selfishly, I want the guy we take in the draft to play next year.

Hand in hand with that is my complete pessimism when it comes to the team signing a max free agent.  Yup, I'll go right ahead and say that's what I am.  I have zero belief this team is convincing a max guy to sign here.  Not until there's at least one established star, or a tantalizing prospect, already on the team.

Now, the Celts might sign one or more guys to a high value contract next summer ... but only because the market is going to be crazy.

But you're not gonna see Durant, or Dwight, or Horford, or whoever, sign here.  My feelings about how the team should position itself for next year is based on that belief.

[slamtheking]

I hope not.  Personally, I think our biggest weakness is a scorer in the form of a 3.  Looking at mocks and prospects, there appear to be three really good ones: Simmons, Ingram, and Brown.  If we wind up at #3, I take whichever is on the board.

If you subscribe to the idea that the Celtics need to acquire stars, I think you go for the best player available with the most star potential, regardless of position.

very true but if you have a choice of comparable prospects and one plays a position of need, that's the one I would consider more heavily.  by the end of the season, Brown or Ingram may put themselves even or ahead of Bender