The Philadelphia 76ers have been preaching patience, with a lose-now mentality and an incredibly long-term outlook with their draft picks.
Frustration would be understood, but there are at least reasons to be optimistic about the future. The team has a handful of talented young players and will have another high pick in this year's draft, with Joel Embiid also a de facto rookie next year after sitting this season out with injury so far.
The Sixers also have Dario Saric coming over from Europe at some point, which may be the most exciting piece of the entire Sam Hinkie puzzle right now. The 12th overall pick in June, Saric has been excellent for Anadolu Efes S.K. in the Turkish Basketball League this season, averaging 10.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 24 minutes of action.
Saric has also been named the FIBA Europe Young Player of the Year for 2014, the second year in a row he's won the award. Saric narrowly edged Milwaukee Bucks sophomore Giannis Antetokounmpo to take home the honor, given annually to the best European-born player age 22 or younger. Saric follows Jonas Valanciunas and Ricky Rubio as the only players to win the award multiple times.
"Dario Saric has been at the forefront of the men's game in Europe already for some time now, so it is easy to forget that he is still only 20 years old," FIBA Europe regional director Kamil Novak said in a release. "I have been watching his development for some time and I am sure I have only witnessed the beginnings of what is set to be a remarkable career."
The 76ers may have to wait until 2016 to see Saric, who signed a three-year deal in June that is believed to have an out clause after year two. There remains a possibility he could find his way out of that deal in time for the 2015-16 season.
