Brandon Apter (@bapter23), Managing Editor
The Sixers have yet to see either of their 2014 first round picks suit up for the team, but the day seems to be inching closer when both Dario Saric and Joel Embiid don Sixers uniforms. While the third overall pick from 2014, Embiid, continues to work on rehabbing his foot, Dario Saric has been polishing his game with Turkish Basketball Super League affiliate Anadolu Efes. The Sixers acquired the rights to Saric from the Orlando Magic on draft night in exchange for point guard Elfriid Payton.
Back in December, Saric reiterated his intentions to join the Sixers next season in an interview with SlamNRoll.com and the 21-year-old Croatian forward has improved his game vastly over last year with Anadolu Efes. In 27 games last season with Efes, Saric's field-goal percentage sat at 43.3 percent and this season, through 15 games, is at 50.4 percent. His long range shooting has also taken a positive jump from 30.6 percent in 2014-15 to 44.1 percent in 2015-16. Sam Hinkie and the Sixers are in constant communication with Saric and are still very intrigued at the prospect of him joining the team in the future.
“We’re in frequent contact with him,” Hinkie revealed on Tuesday at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. “He’s doing really well for Efes this year. He’s having a great season. He’s continued to shoot it really well. Maybe 48 hours go by without one of us talking to him, not 72. We spend a lot of time paying attention to his development because he’s important to us, and because we care about him and he knows that. When the time is right, I’m sure he’ll make whatever’s the best decision for him.” [Sixers.com]
This season, Saric is averaging 10.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 21 minutes per game with Efes. Last season, he averaged 9.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Saric's statistics this season equal out to 18.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and three assists per 36 minutes.
“He’s done really well this year and he’s gifted,” Hinkie continued. “He can put it on the floor, he can defensive rebound, he can bring it up in transition. When his day comes, he’ll have a lot of transition to the NBA that he’ll have to focus on. But shooting is definitely a part of what he’s been focused on and what he’s already improved on.” [Sixers.com]
Meanwhile, the other 2014 pick that the Sixers have in the mix is Joel Embiid, who has had two surgeries already to repair injuries to his navicular bone in his right foot. Brett Brown has commented on Embiid's progress and work ethic this season compared to last and the former Kansas big man is regularly seen on the practice floor doing drills. Joel Embiid, in his only season with Kansas, averaged 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in just over 23 minutes per game.
“He’s doing great in his rehab and he’s doing great in his work to get back,” said Hinkie. Embiid has been spotted on the hardwood more frequently over the past month and a half, going through an assortment of basic individual drills before games and after practices.
“We will take him when he’s ready, which we anticipate will be next season.” [Sixers.com]
If Embiid comes back full strength, the Sixers will have a surplus of big men on their team with Okafor, Noel, Embiid and Saric. They also could potentially have up to four first round picks in the upcoming draft.
The Sixers return to action tonight at the Wells Fargo Center against the Hawks at 7PM.
