Dario Saric
Position: Power forward
Status for 2017-18: Guaranteed -- $2,422,560
Saric in 2016-17
There were two parts of Saric's rookie season: before and after Ersan Ilyasova.
Saric began his first year in the NBA adjusting to a new league, teammates and system. He was thrown into the starting lineup because of injuries, but he wasn't quite ready for it. Saric greatly benefited from the acquisition of Ilyasova, which allowed him to slide back into the second unit and learn under less pressure. Additionally, Ilyasova was a go-to-teammate for Saric. Not only does Ilyasova play the same position as Saric, but he also had been through the transition from Europe to the NBA.
Once the Sixers traded Ilyasova to the Hawks, Saric was prepared to step back into the starting lineup. Saric put the team on his shoulders as the key offensive player in the absence of Joel Embiid. He averaged 17.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 30.4 minutes over 25 games after the All-Star break. Saric won Rookie of the Month in February and March.
Saric was determined to play all 82 games this season. His mission fell short by one game as he missed the season finale because of lingering plantar fasciitis.
NBA
Signature game
Saric scored a career-high 32 points on March 24 against the Bulls in Chicago. He made it a double-double with 10 rebounds. Saric's career-night was during a 22-game streak of double-digit scoring.
Looking ahead to 2017-18
Saric will enter his second year in the NBA after another long season -- he will compete with the Croatian national team this summer. Saric would benefit from improving his long-range shot. This season he got adjusted to the NBA three-point line and finished the season at 31.1 percent from downtown. Next season, enhancing that shot could take his game to the next level. The starting power forward spot is Saric's to claim, though not guaranteed.
On Saric
"He is a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate along with Joel Embiid."
- Brett Brown