2016 NBA Mock Draft: Brandon Ingram is the New Number One Pick

Maccabi Tel Aviv. Dragan Bender. 3. player. 18. Boston’s frontcourt has been exposed a bit in their first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks, who are slicing and dicing the Celtics with penetration and ball movement because the Celtics lack mobility and rim protection on the interior. With Amir Johnson and Jared Sullinger coming up on free agency, the Celtics looking at this draft’s best international prospect seems like a no-brainer. <p>Bender could offer skills on both sides of the ball that would be useful for Boston moving forward. Bender’s outside shooting is a huge draw, as he’s hit 39.1 percent from outside in European play this season. He’s a legitimate threat to spread the floor, a useful tool for a Boston team that likes to penetrate with guards Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Smart, but lacks outside shooting. Finishing is a bit of an issue at this point for Bender, as he hit just 40 percent from inside the paint in Euroleague play this season. But he has hit 56.8 percent from two-point range in Israeli league play, and this could translate to NBA finishing as his body continues to mature. And for the Celtics, Bender’s perimeter orientation is a big enough draw to take him.</p> <p>Defensively, Brad Stevens would be able to use Bender as a de facto rim protector next to a strong team defender in Kelly Olynyk. Bender had some struggles early in the season at Maccabi, but that was likely a product of a very poor defensive game plan, and he’s played much better on that end since former Toronto Raptor Zan Tabak took over as head coach. Bender’s 7’2″ wingspan and defensive instincts should allow him to eventually become a very strong two-way player, and for Boston, his defensive potential may be a bigger draw than his excellent offensive skill set.</p> <p><em>To learn more about Dragan Bender, <a href=. PF