2014 NBA Redraft: 11. Dario Saric, Denver Nuggets
Despite being a part of the 2014 Draft, Dario Saric clouded his abilities in mystery soon after. He was taken one spot below by the Orlando Magic and subsequently shipped North to Philadelphia, but he wouldn’t join the Process-enriched squad until the summer of 2016.
Instead, he spent those two seasons in the EuroLeague, averaging just 10.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Sixer fans weren’t so concerned about the lack of production if they knew about it at all. They were simply desperate for any sort of talent to grace their roster. So, when the Croatian forward came over for the start of the 2016-17 season, fans were abuzz at what he’d bring to the table, especially if it would help Philadelphia win basketball games.
Saric’s skills have always seemed to fit ideally with what is required from a modern power forward, at least at the offensive end. At 6’10” with a career 3-point percentage north of 35.0 percent, he can space the court and shoot over the top of those why may try to contest.
Playing next to talented centers like Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns has put Saric into more of an off-ball role. It’s where his skills fit best, like when he shot 38.5 percent from distance on his way to 17.2 points along with 7.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game during the 2018 playoffs.
Saric will never be an All-Star, but after significantly impacting those Sixers teams, he’s doing the same off the bench for the Phoenix Suns, continuing a trend of influence that’s hardly coincidental.