Philadelphia 76ers: 3 players most likely to be traded in 2018-19
By Simon Smith
2. Dario Saric
Dario Saric is no stranger to the trade table, having being dealt away on draft night in 2014 from the Orlando Magic.
Clearly, the Sixers have done better in the deal, with Elfrid Payton having been traded away last season for a measly second round draft selection. Having just completed his second year in the league, Saric improved notably as the season progressed, and was a terrific complement to the surrounding players on the roster.
At 6’10” and a legitimate stretch-4, Saric possesses the necessary versatility to excel in the modern game. However, the Sixers will need to decide over the coming 12 months whether or not to invest in Saric as their power forward of the future.
While he is highly skilled, his lack of athleticism can be a detriment. Last season, Saric ranked seventh on the team with just 8.1 rebounds per 36 minutes. Furthermore, with the league becoming faster and the prevalence of small-ball increasing rapidly, it’s unknown how Saric will fare defensively in the years to come when facing faster and more athletic opponents.
Considering his relatively low $2.5 million salary next season, Saric will almost certainly be packaged with other players on the roster if a trade were to arise that made sense for the Sixers moving forward.
Still just 24, the Sixers will ultimately need to determine if they are willing to outlay the necessary money for what is likely to be a large payday for the Homie down the track.