Though the man who drafted him is no longer employed by the team, 2014 first-round pick Dario Saric told his teammates on Anadolu Efes that he will join the Philadelphia 76ers for next NBA season, according to Eurpoean basketball reporter David Pick.
Dario Saric, source said, told his teammates he intends to leave Europe for Sixers this offseason.
— David Pick (@IAmDPick) April 24, 2016
Saric averaged 11.7 points-per-game for Anadolu Efes in 2015-16 on 50 percent shooting. The 6'9, 225 pound forward has long been thought to be one of the top international talents not playing in the NBA.
If Saric were to join the Sixers next season, he would potentially be making his debut with fellow 2014 first-round pick Joel Embiid, in addition to a slew of first-round picks that the Sixers will have in this summer's draft.
In what has referred to as his resignation "manifesto", former Sixers general manager spoke glowingly of Saric's potential.
As of now, we hold three players on this list, highlighted by the 21-year-old Dario Šarić. Dario is a 6-10 forward with a guard’s skills and a big’s toughness. Twice voted as FIBA European Young Player of the Year, we were in position to draft him in part because he required something you’ve had in ample supply: one part courage, two parts patience. He will look great in Sixers blue.
Of course, Hinkie isn't here anymore. So it will be interesting to see what president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo thinks of Saric, especially considering he seemed to allude to the Sixers being in a position where they may have too many young players to effectively develop at one time at his introductory press conference.
Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) is an Editorial Assistant for Sixerdelphia.com.
