When the Phoenix Suns drafted Dragan Bender with the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, they were hoping to find a future franchise cornerstone, a diamond in the rough that was raw but still had enough potential to someday become a star.
However, things did not work out that way and the success he had in Israel as a member of Maccabi Tel Aviv eluded him in the NBA. After three disappointing years with the Suns, Phoenix declined to pick up Bender’s fourth-year option, making him a not particularly sought-after free agent.
Still, with a player as young as him, a 21-year-old who was expected by some to be a very good player one day, it is not altogether surprising that a team finally decided to take a chance on him. According to ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Milwaukee Bucks agreed to sign Bender to a two-year deal on Thursday.