Rumor: Have Celtics already decided to pass on Dragan Bender before his workout in Boston?


Two reputable NBA insiders are claiming that Dragan Bender, who's scheduled to work out for the Celtics Tuesday, is not on Boston's short list of candidates for the third pick in the draft.

Last Friday, CelticsLife took part in a media conference call with ESPN's Chad Ford, during which Ford said the following regarding the C's outlook at No. 3:
I think it’s safe to say that they’ve narrowed it down to four guys: Jamal Murray, Kris Dunn, Jaylen Brown out of Cal, and Marquese Chriss out of Washington.

Notably not on Ford's list were Dragan Bender and Buddy Hield.

On Saturday, Celtics director of player personnel Austin Ainge stated that they have "three or four guys" in play at No. 3, which falls in line with what Ford speculated.

Sunday, Basketball Insiders Steve Kyler went a step further and suggested Boston only has two players in mind at this point:


Doesn't it seem a bit far-fetched to to think Danny Ainge and company could've already decided against taking Bender just days before getting a private look at him?


However, Kyler responded to our tweet in a way that clearly implies he knows something we don't:


Kyler later added that he couldn't reveal what he knows until tomorrow (now today).

This may be nothing, or it may be be something.  Stay tuned.


RELATED: Jaylen Brown being brought back in for a 2nd workout; Is he Ainge's guy at #3?

Follow Mark Van Deusen on Twitter @LucidSportsFan

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