The Suns will decline Dragan Bender‘s fourth-year option, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com reports. The move will free Phoenix of Bender’s $5.8MM salary that he would have received during the 2019/20 season.
“Of course I wish they picked up the option, but I am not going to let this stop me from reaching my goals,” Bender said. “I am 20, and I will keep working to be the best NBA player I can be and make it in this league whether it’s with Phoenix or another team.”
Bender was one of the top prospects in the 2016 Draft and one of the most heavily-scouted European prospects in recent memory. He was expected to form a young, up-and-coming frontcourt combo in Phoenix with fellow first-rounder Marquese Chriss. Chriss has since been traded to Houston and Bender has failed to live up to expectations.
Phoenix has the ability to re-sign Bender after the season, though the team would be limited to offering him a starting salary of $5.8MM. Woj notes that Bender playing with the Suns beyond this season is a “doubtful outcome.”
Nice draft picks idiots. Lol
What is the cap hold for a declined rookie option player when they become a UFA the next summer?
Same amount as his option would have been.
Suns probably think they’re signing some big time free agent. They’re delusional.
butler makes sense
Suns don’t seem like the most desirable destination but you’ll never know unless you try. Nobody expected the Thunder to trade for PG and nobody expected him to stay either.
Croatian Sensation…. Eh. Every other Croatian player in the league right now is better than him. And Zizic/Zubac don’t even get off the bench much.
I wish I could post a gif of a dumpster fire on this site, but I hope the following will suffice.
The Phoenix Suns
$arver Is a lame duck owner! The fans and players deserve better!!
Welcome to this year’s possible Mario Hezonja where a team will regret it’s decision on a high draft pick and then lose him for nothing. Unless you have a generational type bust like Adam Morrison or Anthony Bennett, a top 5 pick should always get the 4th year option. At the very least you should get the RFA option. Maybe they won’t regret it, but it seems like foolish to just throw away both the #4 and #7 picks after basically just 2 years.
Hezonja isn’t good. Weird comparison. He hasn’t shown anything. In fact all 4 of those dudes are in the same realm “bust” wise. It was time to cut their loses.
I’m gonna go with your handle here and just say “well you’re wrong.” Bennett and Morrison proved they could not play in the NBA very quickly. Hezonja played well enough last season to get signed to a 6.5 million dollar deal. Not a star by any means, but he proved he could play in the NBA. Bender played well enough last season to be worth at least a 4th year look. Once again, not a superstar, but there is a big gap between superstar and generational bust.
Hezonja was signed by one of the dumbest franchises and is putting up career lows (somehow). Bender has looked awful this season and is well on his way to a 3rd straight year of negative VORP and OnCourt. The only difference between those two and Morrison and Bennett were their slight draft slot positions (which shouldn’t warrant you another year of doing nothing). Not worth money or roster spot. Phx is doing the right thing. Admit the mistake (of guy not even there anymore) and move on.
That is part of the reason Mcdumma is no longer around.