NBA: Top 10 Candidates For Rookie Of The Year Award In 2016-17

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver holds a basketball while posing for a photo with draft prospects from left Buddy Hield (Oklahoma) , Ben Simmons (LSU), Brandon Ingram (Duke) and Kris Dunn (Providence) before the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (9) during media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Dario Saric

With Ben Simmons out, Dario Saric moves into the starting lineup at power forward. Though he’s been dealing with some back issues, Saric’s playmaking will be a direct — albeit less effective — replacement for Simmons in the starting lineup.

Last season for Anadolu Efes in Turkey, Saric averaged 11.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game on .500/.403/.939 shooting splits. If his efficient long range shooting translates to the NBA, he’ll automatically be one of the Philadelphia 76ers‘ main options on offense.

It’s a bit telling that a 22-year-old rookie like Saric was moved into the starting lineup — alongside fellow Rookie of the Year candidate Joel Embiid — over Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel.

But whatever the case with the Sixers’ crowded frontcourt or Philly’s insistence on taking the cautious route with Okafor’s health, it appears as though Brett Brown will be giving the first opportunities to Saric and Embiid. With Simmons sidelined, Saric has a real shot at this award.