The Case for Dario Saric
By Mike Garcia
What can he contribute now?
Unlike the NCAA players projected in the lottery, Saric’s talent is more refined. Playing in a highly competitive Adriatic League and Eurocup league for two years allowed him to mature quickly. The level of skill in those leagues is a level above the NCAA. It would be like the top #25 teams playing each other all season long.
That maturity will allow him to be ready at NBA speed right out of the gate. There, he can offer his playmaking and perimeter shooting skills at the NBA level. Simply put, power forwards and small forwards don’t really know how to defend tall, triple-threat players. Dario Saric is that guy. He can’t be spaced, he’ll shoot the three. He can’t be defended tightly, he’ll drive. Even with proper position, he hits teammates well, and is often the playmaker in a pick-and-roll situation.
The offense will be there. The defense won’t be. The biggest issue for him will be floor time. He may find himself in foul trouble because of his active defense, compensating for lack of length, explosiveness, and footspeed. He’s an average athlete, and will be exploited as so on the other side of the floor.