2016 NBA Mock Draft: Brooklyn Nets Trade Into First Round

5 of 31

Dragan Bender. 4. player. 66. . PF. Croatia

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the stage before the start of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Dragan Bender is the Kristaps Porzingis of this year’s draft class. Although Bender is coming over to the NBA one year earlier than Porzingis did, the question is, which team is going to end up passing on him and regretting it three or four seasons from now?

He is without a doubt the best draft-eligible prospect in this draft who didn’t play college basketball. In my opinion, I highly doubt he’ll be selected outside the top five. Bender is an 18-year-old forward will be a nice stretch-four for a team at the NBA level. Bender has the ability to switch on defense and hit from the perimeter, both of which would make him an excellent fit on any NBA team.

Bender’s potential gives Suns a solid player with high upside in the frontcourt, which is something which they are looking for ever since they traded the Morris twins. Boston could take him third overall. But if the Celtics end up passing on him, the Suns most likely won’t.

Along side Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight, Devin Booker and Alex Len, Phoenix is building a team that is athletic and fast. Bender should fit in perfectly on the roster.

Next: Minnesota Timberwolves No. 5