Croatian Prospect Dario Saric Snubs Philadelphia 76ers Again

The Philadelphia 76ers won’t be getting a return on a past NBA Draft investment anytime soon. Dario Saric, the No. 12 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, will be staying overseas for another year as Philadelphia reportedly failed in a buyout bid for the forward/center from Croatia.

Saric was selected by the Orlando Magic, but his draft rights were immediately traded to Philadelphia.

Chad Ford of ESPN confirmed the news, stating that Saric’s agent, Jeff Schwartz, had told him of Saric’s plans for next season. Saric is under contract with Turkish team Anadolu Efes. According to the report, Saric’s buyout with the European squad is expensive.

For Saric, coming over to the NBA in the 2016-17 season, when the salary cap is expected to rise, would be a better decision because he stands to earn more at that time.

In the 2014-15 season, he started 22 of 27 games and averaged 9.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists. The 21-year-old also represented the Croatian basketball national team in the recent FIBA World Cup of Basketball in Spain, averaging 11.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists.

Saric has been playing professional basketball since 2009 for Zrinjevac (2009), Dubrava (2010 to 2011), Zagreb (2011 to 2012), Cibona (2012 to 2014) and Efes (2014 to 2015).