NBA: Favorites For Rookie Of The Year After Ben Simmons Injury

Jul 12, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) dribbles the ball during an NBA Summer League game against the Golden State Warriors at Thomas & Mack Center. Golden State won the game 85-77. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-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 /

5. Dario Saric, Philadelphia 76ers

Position: Power Forward
Age: 22 (4/8/1994)
Drafted: Round 1, Pick 12 (2014)
2015-16 Slash Line (Euroleague): .500/.403/.939
2015-16 Season Averages (Euroleague): 22.5 MPG, 11.7 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.5 ORPG, 1.5 APG, 1.2 3PM

Dario Saric has the size and offensive versatility to be a star in the contemporary NBA. He’s a sharpshooting power forward who can put it on the floor, go to the post, and work without the ball in his hands.

Saric has long been coveted by NBA general managers, and in 2016-17, he’ll receive an opportunity to show why.

For those unfamiliar, the Philadelphia 76ers’ selected Saric at No. 12 overall in the 2014 NBA Draft. Saric has since spent the past two seasons overseas, where he’s continued to polish his game and accumulate accolades.

Whether or not Saric can make an immediate impact in the NBA has yet to be determined, but it’s clear that he has the respect of the masses.

Prior to the 2015-16 NBA season, general managers voted Saric as the best player not currently in the Association. He’ll arrive in 2016-17, and without Ben Simmons, will have an opportunity to emerge as the 76ers’ primary scoring option.

Saric is low for the sake of pure caution, but he has as legitimate an opportunity to win Rookie of the Year as any player on this list.