Philadelphia 76ers: 5 bold predictions for the 2017-18 season

4. Dario Saric will shoot 40 percent from 3-point range

Rookie Dario Saric was one of the key pieces in the Philadelphia 76ers’ improvement in 2016-17. This upcoming season, the team has better depth and as a result, it’s given Saric a defined role as a key piece off the bench this season.

After averaging 12.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists per game and shooting 31.1 percent from 3-point range, he earned first-team All-Rookie honors.

Saric started 25 games after the All-Star Break. Although he averaged 17.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game and was named Rookie of the Month in February and March, he isn’t a volume shooter, as evidenced by his 28.1 percent shooting from the 3-point arc as a starter.

That’s not to say Saric is a terrible 3-point shooter. After all, he is a power forward. But his touches will be valued a whole lot more this season to the tune of 40 percent shooting from 3-point land.

With Simmons, Fultz and Covington as slashers in their arsenal, it opens up the floor for Saric, as well as the veteran J.J. Redick, to get more open shots. As the league becomes a more 3-point dominated league, the Sixers would be wise to use their strengths to their advantage.

Saric did shoot 32.7 percent from 3 before the All-Star Break. He started in just 11 of the 56 contests.

Given the bigger sample size, he did make more 3-pointers (72) than he did after the All-Star Break (34). However, that superior percentage came on 24.4 minutes per game, versus the 30.4 minutes per game he played as a starter.

Considering the Philadelphia 76ers’ depth in the frontcourt, Saric can probably focus on his role as sixth man a lot more this season and it helps he’s had time to get adjusted to the NBA game and get a season under his belt.