2016 NBA Mock Draft: Lakers land Ben Simmons in simulated lottery

73. <p>This selection actually belongs to the New York Knicks, but the Nuggets own the ability to swap picks with the Knicks if New York ends up with a higher selection, so Denver picks here.</p> <p>Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Dragan Bender is the best player remaining on the board and has excellent upside in a league that increasingly emphasizes mobile, versatile power forwards. Bender isn’t the same type of playmaker that Ben Simmons is, but the 7-1 18-year old has the ability to stretch the floor in ways that Simmons can’t. Bender is shooting 37.9 percent from behind the arc across all competitions for Maccabi this season. Bender isn’t ready to create offense off the dribble yet, but his shooting will be very welcome at the power forward spot. Defensively, Bender has shown the ability to guard smaller players on the perimeter. He’s an excellent athlete who moves well for a player his size and his 7-2 wingspan makes it tough for smaller offensive players to get shots off when he’s switched onto them.</p> <p>The Nuggets don’t exactly have a need at power forward right now, but Bender’s potential down the line makes him a great option with the third pick in the draft.</p> <p><em>To read more about Dragan Bender, <a href=. PF. Maccabi Tel Aviv. Dragan Bender. 3. player