Scouting Report: Dario Saric, PF, Croatia
It's easy to remember the European lottery picks who bust or appear to be busts - Alex Len, Jan Vesely, and Andrea Bargnani - but that's a primacy bias that shouldn't color your opinion on future Euro prospects. Danilo Gallinari, Ricky Rubio, and Jonas Valanciunas look just fine, after all, and no two prospects are the same.
When it comes to Croatian forward Dario Saric, it may actually be more reasonable to embrace the unknown, as the 6-foot-10, 20-year-old looks like the real deal. He also has swagger for days, so he's likely to be polarizing as an NBA player.
Background
| Position | DX Rank | ESPN Rank | Height w Shoes | Weight (lbs.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PF | 8 | 9 | 6' 10" (2012) | 223 (2012) |
| Wing | Vert (in.) | Standing Reach | Hand Length (in.) | Agility (sec.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6' 10" (2012) | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Scouting Report
Strengths: Saric is hyped most for his skill, as he's a crafty and smooth offensive player, and one who handles the ball and distributes well for a four. He's also a big power forward, not a three masquerading as a big, and his rebounding resume backs that up. While NBA teams haven't seen a great deal of him, the fact he was named Adriatic League MVP, led his team to the championship, and averaged 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in the Final Four is hard to ignore.
Weaknesses: Saric isn't as athletic as the other fours in his draft range, and he's not a great shooter or imposing player on the block. The biggest concern teams will have, though, is whether he plans to head to the NBA or not, something that seems contingent on who drafts him.
Highlight Reel
What to Expect on Draft Day
Do we have to answer? Realistically, a team picking in the top-10 probably won't take a risk on Saric without knowing when he plans to come to the NBA, especially since he's not working out for teams. A team willing to roll the dice may be rewarded handsomely, but they will also have to wait at least two years before Saric is free to come stateside after signing a new deal in Turkey.