Imagine DeAndre Ayton and Dragan Bender together

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PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 8: Dragan Bender #35 of the Phoenix Suns shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors on April 8, 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) /

Shooting

Dragan Bender found himself shooting 3’s at around 38% for much of the season, only to slide and finish the year with a respectable 36.6% on 322 attempts (only 62 attempts behind Devin Booker who shot 38.3%).

Even if Bender plateaued a little bit and sat at about 36% on the year in 2018-19, that would still be a very effective 3-point shooting percentage and above average for a big man his size. Last season, only 11 players 7’0″ or taller attempted at least 200 3-pointers. Bender finished 6th among those shooters in average, and fourth in attempts.

Having played in all 82 games (Karl-Anthony Towns was the only other player of those 11 who managed such a feat), Bender only averaged 25.2 minutes per game. If he becomes more of an integral part of the team’s offensive game plan (improved passing and shooting this offseason could play a solid role in such necessity), then his attempts on the season will only rise, and opponents will be forced to defend him with even greater focus.

Defensive focus on him could be heighted even more if his shooting percentage rises again as it did from his rookie season to second year (it jumped 9%), and he becomes a more relied upon part of the team’s scoring.

All of which would be particularly important to DeAndre Ayton and his game as he will need an open lane to work with when his back is to the basket. On those offensive rotations when Bender is on the same side of the lane (presumably though beyond the arc) as Ayton, if he dumps the ball into the post, his defender will have to make a decision: stay on Bender and allow Ayton to work one-on-one, something that he will dominate at most nights, or double Ayton and risk leaving the open 3-point shooter for the quick pass back out and the now wide-open shot.

Of course this was something that was not much of a worry for defenses last season as none of Tyson Chandler, Alex Len, and for a short spell, Alan Williams, would ever demand a double-team in the post.

DeAndre Ayton will demand such respect, and having the 3-point shooting capable Bender at the arc waiting to facilitate, will be a tremendous offensive advantage for the Suns.

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