Meet your NEW Phoenix Suns
By Adam Maynes
Who was left out
Dragan Bender
Much like the mythical creatures, Dragan Bender will be a thing of legends after the 2018-19 season concludes, as his name is entered into the historical pantheon of highly drafted Europeans who busted out before their careers could ever even begin.
Compared early to Dirk Nowitzki and Kristaps Porzingis, it would be an insult to even compare him in the same vein as Darko Milicic.
It is sad to see that in a time when the Suns so desperately needed young talent and ended up with two top-ten picks, that the two players taken were Bender and Marquese Chriss, when Jamal Murray was taken three picks later (and one pick ahead of Chriss), and Bogdan Bogdanovic, who the Suns had rights too, was traded for the right to select Chriss.
Then, in two-and-a-half seasons of NBA coaching, practice, and opportunity for growth, Bender has shown none and literally looks like the same player who was selected in 2016.
Elie Okobo and De’Anthony Melton
So many Phoenix Suns fans have high hopes for these two point guards, but as second round picks, I have no more faith that they will be starters in the NBA than I have in ESPN picking up this piece and turning it into a half-hour special.
While either one of Okobo or Melton might be decent backup point guards for some time in the league, I do not see anything more of them than Negele Knight, and of the two, Melton already appears that he is there.
Much like Tyler Ulis, neither should be starting but because Igor Kokoskov has no other options they both will have their chances.
Sure, when Melton has a good game some people shout like he is somehow the second-coming, but it’s not like his good games are making SportsCenter highlight shows or that the franchise might consider focusing all of their attention on upgrading power forward and leaving point guard as is.
The second Phoenix can add an upgrade to the starting rotation at point, one of those two players are gone. As soon as the team is competitive, management will decide they need a veteran off the bench to add stability, and the other will be thanked for his time in Phoenix as well.