Report: Dario Saric 'absolutely won't' join 76ers before 2016, could wait until 2017

The 2015-16 Philadelphia 76ers will have new uniforms. Who fills them remains a complete mystery.

With only six players under guaranteed contract for next year - including Joel Embiid, whose health is still an enormous question mark - the Sixers may once again be set for heavy roster turnover. Armed with the No. 3 pick and a slew of second-rounders, Philly could be looking at another vast youth infusion.

But it doesn't sound like they'll be getting much of anything from their 2014 lottery picks. Embiid's status is tenuous, and No. 12 overall pick Dario Saric doesn't appear to be heading stateside anytime soon.

While the 76ers reportedly want to bring Saric over as soon as possible, buyout regulations and the two years remaining on his deal in Turkey complicate matters. What's more, Saric may not be game to make the jump, potentially waiting until he's no longer bound by the rookie wage scale - and by then, the league's salary cap projects to be much higher.

Waiting until 2017 is in play and there's no chance Saric is coming over for 2015, according to a report from DraftExpress:

According to what we're told, it absolutely won't happen before 2016, and could get pushed back to 2017 when he's no longer bound by the NBA rookie-scale contract.

This is unfortunate news for Sixers fans who were likely excited by Saric's formidable performance this season, which earned him FIBA Europe Young Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. He averaged 10.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists at age 21, shooting 45.5 percent overall and 32.9 percent from outside.

It also means the 76ers will probably continue to draft for talent over specific needs, meaning a somewhat similar player like Kristaps Porzingis could remain in the mix at No. 3. Mostly, it just signals that the Sixers aren't set to reap the rewards of a multiyear rebuild quite yet.