Fans of the Philadelphia 76ers are going to be happy about next season as they will surely have a franchise cornerstone to build upon. Besides a potential top pick in the NBA draft, the 76ers may be finally welcoming their 2014 first-round pick Dario Saric.
According to international basketball writer David Pick, Saric has reportedly told his teammates in Europe that he will be playing in the United States for the 2016-17 season. The 22-year-old Croatian big man has played the last two seasons with Turkish team Anadolu Efes.
Saric averaged 10.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 35.5 percent from the three-point area and 82.3 percent from free throws. He is a two-time FIBA European Young Player of the Year and was named Adriatic League MVP in 2014.
The 6-foot-10 was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the 12th overall selection in the 2014 NBA Draft but was later traded for point guard Elfrid Payton, FanSided reported. He was one of former Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie's picks in the past several years that also include Jahlil Okafor and Joel Embiid.
Fans in Philadelphia will be expecting a lot from Saric since they had to wait more than two years to finally see him play. The Croatian player fits the same mold as New York Knicks rookie sensation Kristaps Porzingis.
The arrival of Saric might mean that the new Sixers front office led by Bryan Colangelo will trade either Okafor or Embiid. The latter has not played in a single NBA game due to two-foot surgeries but still possess a lot of potential if he can stay healthy.
According to CBS Sports, Saric can handle the ball really well and become the team's small-ball power forward. He has improved his jump shot the past couple of years but his defense is still an area to get better at.
The 2013 Croatian League Finals MVP is also seen as an upgrade to players in the Sixers roster like Robert Covington and Jerami Grant. However, there is still a chance that Saric will stay in Europe for one more season so that he could negotiate a much larger deal with Philadelphia.
If the 22-year-old signs with the Sixers this offseason, he could receive a four-year, $11.5 million contract. On the other hand, if he signs next year, he can get a larger deal close to Nikola Mirotic's three-year, $16 million contract from the Chicago Bulls.
Check out the video below for Saric's top highlights in Europe.