Bender is 3.5 years younger than Rozier and performed better than Rozier in each of their 1st 2 seasons. I could absolutely see Ainge acquire him for Rozier.
The difference is that rosier played for a basketball team and Bender played for a circus. In Boston he wouldn't have seen any playtime
Or maybe in Boston under a real coach, Bender explodes and lives up to his talent. Remember we are talking about a guy who was incredibly young and raw, coming to a new country, and playing for a team in chaos, yet he still was able to show marked improvement across the board from year 1 to year 2. Imagine getting him some real coaching on a structured team.
You know, I don't hate this trade. If Celtics chose to resign Smart, I assume Terry is gone it a year anyway. Even if they don't he might leave anyway, as he has said he'd like to start.
Bender feels like a guy who could fit in Boston. Moves pretty well, nice touch from 3 point line.
He's young enough that I could see Stevens turning him into a Kelly O type player, which wouldn't be half bad.
I haven't watched enough of him to know about his D, but offensively I think he could fit well.
How is is D for anyone who has watched him play?