Does Dragan Bender have a role in the Suns’ future?

Generally a fourth overall pick is going to come with the expectation to succeed right away and be a central figure in a team’s future long term.

The Suns drafted Dragan Bender with the knowledge and expectation  that he was going to be a bit of a project, understanding fully that his selection was for the long term and not the short. But then Dragan generally underwhelmed in his rookie season, and following an injury in February he was physically unable to take advantage of the newfound minutes that became available with the resting and trading of veteran players.

Now the Suns hold the fourth overall selection again in this June’s draft, and the players most mentioned as the Suns’ potential pick are small forward Josh Jackson and forward combo Jayson Tatum. Add in the rising stock of modern flex forward/center Johnathan Issacs and the top three potential players on the Phoenix draft board all play forward. (if the Suns draft a point guard than this argument is moot, although there has been very little discussion at this time that should make Suns fans believe that a selection at point is imminent).

Last season Dragan was slotted behind starters T.J. Warren at small forward, Marquese Chriss at power forward, and center Alex Len. Adding any one of the aforementioned potential draft picks and the presumption – albeit not guarantee – that all three starters will be returning, and there will be a log jam in the front court that may push Bender slightly farther down the depth chart.