Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Greg Monroe has been bought out. What’s next?

By Adam Maynes

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 24: Greg Monroe #14 of the Phoenix Suns rebounds the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers on January 24, 2018 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 24: Greg Monroe #14 of the Phoenix Suns rebounds the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers on January 24, 2018 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Dragan Bender will get more time at center

PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 26: Dragan Bender #35 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the game against the New York Knicks on January 26, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 26: Dragan Bender #35 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the game against the New York Knicks on January 26, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) /

While we all long for the day when Bender setting up in the post and banging around with veteran centers, the time that he shows his comfort in that regard has not yet come. The best way though to help speed that process up and get him there is to throw him out there with the wolves and demand that he does whatever possible to survive. And survive, I believe, he will. Bender is still a very young player who need the reps at center and in the post to better believe that he can be the kind of player the franchise wants him to be. With Monroe out of the picture, I foresee games that Tyson Chandler doesn’t start as those games that Bender will get the most run at center, a small taste, but enough to get a craving for blood.

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