Suns get young Croatian forward Dragan Bender with 1st pick

USA Today Sports reported the deal was centered around the No. 8 overall pick, which the Kings used to select Washington product Marquese Chriss. His workout in Phoenix the week before had gone well. “With Coach (John) Calipari and his staff, they’re well coached, they’re well prepared”. I’m just not the biggest fan of Chriss as a player, especially with Bender already in the mix, so I can’t go much higher than B-. Boston has eight picks in the two-round draft, starting with one it acquired from Brooklyn in 2013 in the deal that sent Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Nets.

Additionally, the two other assets the Suns gave up are minor.

Turns out they got both of them.

While wearing a Kings cap, Chriss confirmed he was on the move to the Suns. Then, when they saw an opportunity, they struck. “We were aggressive. We wanted him”.

“It was insane before I got picked wondering what team was interested in you”, Richardson told the media after his selection.

They did indeed, but only too willingly.

The Minnesota Timberwolves used the No. 5 pick on Providence junior Kris Dunn, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year in the Big East who should fit nicely for new coach Tom Thibodeau.

Some had speculated that the Suns were going to take Washington forward Marquese Chriss at the fourth spot. Being a bad team is a new proposition for the Lakers, a team that is experiencing a lengthy rebuild after a long period of sustained success.

Like Bender, Chriss worked out with the team in the latter stages of the pre-draft process, later expressing his desire to ultimately wind up in the desert.

Chriss is widely viewed as one of the most athletic National Basketball Association prospects in recent years. The Suns are looking to part ways with Tyson Chandler this season, allowing a young front court of Alex Len and Marquese Chriss, as well as freeing up the well overpaid Tyson Chandler’s salary.

Chriss averaged 13.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots during his freshman year with the Huskies.

McDonough had difficulty containing his excitement over Chriss’ rare physical gifts.

“I’m very skilled and I’m ready to show that”, Labissiere said.

Coach Dave Joerger was hired in May as the ninth coach in Sacramento since the team last went to the post-season in Rick Adelman’s final year at the helm in 2006.