What a tale of two seasons for Dragan Bender. The former fourth overall pick in 2016, Bender had an injury-filled, poor rookie year, that he appeared (at least under Watson) destined to repeat.

Then Triano was promoted to the big chair, he instituted a new offense, and Dragan Bender became the biggest benefactor on the roster.

While Bender still has a ton to go to adapt to the NBA game, if you even whisper  the word ‘bust’ in association to his name, you aren’t watching him play. He needs to add a post-up aspect to his offensive repertoire, he needs to drop all fears of contact and take the ball hard   to the rim whenever he drives, and he needs to continue to round out his still inconsistent (although vastly improved) flat 3-point shot.

That being said, offensively his outside shot is a significant point of hope for the young player, and along with his lateral movement on defense, reason enough to give him as many minutes as he has been receiving.

His grade isn’t as high as I expect it to be this time next year, but it is absolutely improving.

Midseason Grade: C+