Ranking the Phoenix Suns’ eight top-5 picks all-time

8. Dragan Bender – Drafted 4th overall in 2016

Being that Bender was drafted only last season and missed 32 of the team’s final 38 games due to injury – extensive time when he would have been able to receive abundant playing time as the veterans were benched – this should be more of an “honorable mention” pick instead of a ranking.

When he did get time on the court, Bender showed a solid defensive mindset and a developing outside shot, one that when cultivated – and when his talent reaches his energy – should allow him to become a solid two-way player. Whether or not he ever becomes a star, remains to be seen, although there are high hopes.

Suns fans also shouldn’t be too worried about his rookie stats overall. While he did average the second fewest points per game of any player selected in the top ten, he not only played in the fewest games, but he also was in a unique situation where a top ten team did not need  their selection to succeed immediately. Bender can be allowed to come along relatively slowly, and when combining that willingness to be patient with his age, he may still be two to three years away from proving his NBA potential.