It is never too early to start planning for the 2016 NBA Draft. For the Philadelphia 76ers, who are in year three of the rebuilding process, they are among 29 teams that are interested in 17 year-old European phenom Dragan Bender. According to international journalist David Pick, the Sixers, Denver Nuggets and Orlando Magic have all had talks with Maccabi officials about Bender.
All 30 teams are going to be in attendance at the United Center on Thursday night to watch Bender and Israel Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv take on EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in two exhibition games.
The hype around the 7-foot-1 Bender is real as DraftExpress scout Jonathan Givony points out to Bleacher Report. Givony says, “Compare where Dragan is now to where [New York Knicks No. 4 pick] Kristaps Porzingis was at the same age, and there’s no comparison.”
Many scouts believe that Bender could be the 2016 NBA Draft’s Kristaps Porzingis. In regards to the 2016 NBA Draft, Bender’s guardian and general manager for Maccabi, Nikola Vujcic says that the 17-year-old phenom will only be interested in the draft, if he is a top-five pick.
“We’re not thinking that far, but Dragan will enter the draft if he gets a top-three commitment. Maybe top-five. Maybe he will do like Dario Saric—get drafted and return to Europe to develop,” said Vujcic.
The Sixers are hoping that Saric comes over soon but for Bender, he will be eligible for the 2016 draft as he will be 18 next month. All eyes will be on the United Center to see what kind of show Bender puts on.
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