In this installment of our series before June 26's draft, we look at a versatile big man that the Sixers could target at No. 10:
Dario Saric
Position: Power Forward
Height/Weight: 6-10, 225
Country: Croatia
Dario Saric has been on the international hoops radar since he was 15. Here’s a fun story about him as a kid, complete with a picture of Saric sporting an amazing wispy mustache and a not-so-amazing Nets jersey.
Saric just turned 20. He was named the Adriatic League MVP and led his team, Cibona, to the title. In two games to determine the championship, he averaged 21.5 points, 13 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 2.5 blocks. He shot 8 for 16 from three and hit 8 of 12 from the line. You can watch a mashup of his Adriatic League playoff performances here.
The problem is that no one is quite sure whether Saric will actually come to the states. Saric recently said he’d like to play for the Lakers or Celtics. At last check, the Sixers are not the Lakers or Celtics. Then there’s another complicating factor: his father.
Predrag Saric is kind of a drag. He played 15 seasons in Europe, including a few with Drazen Petrovic. Predrag is forever saying unkind things about his son. When the younger Saric signed with Cibona, the elder Saric bagged on the team and his kid -- which led to them not speaking for a while. They’ve supposedly reconciled, but Dad is still out there getting his Dad-ness all up in Saric’s business. As recently as early April, Predrag said his son “isn’t ready for the NBA.”
Harsh. Even Todd Marinovich’s dad thinks Predrag should ease up.
NBA
Strengths
He’s big. He can run the floor. He’s a solid defensive rebounder. He has a good handle for a player that size and he has excellent court vision. His offensive game is diverse. He’s the definition of a stretch four.
According to DraftExpress.com, Saric led the Adriatic league in scoring this season at close to 17 points per game. He was an efficient scorer (58 true-shooting percentage). And while he was streaky and hit 34 percent from the perimeter, he showed an improved shot from distance. Each year his game gets a little better, particularly his ability to shoot the three.
He makes plays even when leaned on to carry the team. He had a 27 percent usage rate (tops in the Adriatic League). And he can get out on the break -- either as an outlet option or, at times and in certain situations, as a distributor.
Weaknesses
He’s a willing defender. And he’s getting better, but he still has a way to go. Opponents hit 49 percent against Saric in post-up situations, per DraftExpress and Synergy Sports. And, as mentioned above, the three-point shot could use a little more work.
The other defensive question is what position he might guard. He’s huge for a small forward but not necessarily quick enough to guard other wings. On the other hand, he’s quick for a power forward but not necessarily thick enough to body out other traditional post players.
Other weaknesses: That mustache and Dear Old Dad.
How he’d fit with the Sixers
Very well. Saric’s game is completely different from what we should expect from Nerlens Noel. Noel figures to spend most of his time protecting the rim, rebounding and trying to score in close. Saric is a quality passer, he can help on the defensive glass, put the ball on the floor at times, and he’s starting to develop an outside shot. Plus he can run. He would complement Noel and give Michael Carter-Williams another option to find on the break or in half-court sets.
NBA comparison
We won’t mention Petrovic because he was smaller, played a different position, and also because Predrag might read this and freak out. Saric has been likened to Toni Kukoc and Andres Nocioni. Feels closer to the Kukoc end of the spectrum.
Draft projection
Lottery (ninth to 14th overall pick).