After a few years of bouncing around the league, former Philadelphia 76ers forward and fan favorite Dario Saric is looking like his NBA career is coming to an end. The Kings traded him to the Bulls prior to the trade deadline, although he ultimately got re-routed to the Pistons. However, Detroit has quickly dropped the hammer on the veteran, waiving him to give way to Daniss Jenkins who just had his two-way deal converted into standard contract.
At this juncture, it is probably safe to say that the 31-year-old will be better off heading back to Europe. He has struggled to find a consistent role since his first season in Phoenix, and it is increasingly becoming obvious that the game has become too fast for him to catch up. He has played for five different ball clubs in the last four seasons, which is pretty telling of his shaky footing in the NBA today.
If this is indeed the end for the Croatian forward in the league, 76ers fans can still look back on his time with the team fondly. After all, he did help get the franchise out of the mud when he served as a vital piece of the puzzle before he got traded for Jimmy Butler in 2018.
Former 76ers forward Dario Saric sees his NBA career end on an ugly note
Saric was drafted by the 76ers in 2014, although he did not suit up for the team until two years later. During the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons, he emerged as their starting power forward, complementing Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons with his perimeter prowess and uncanny skills as a decision-maker as a stretch big man.
He was crucial in allowing Embiid and Simmons to turn into All-Star players. He was likewise impressive in his own right as he swiftly proved to be a picture-perfect running mate for those two, although the taste of the championship made the 76ers part with him for an established star like Butler.
Saric remained serviceable since getting shipped out of Philly, but an injury in 2020 basically started laying the foundation for his premature exit in the league. He was simply not the same player when he came back, and just the fact that he has been able to last this long in the NBA is an achievement in itself given the circumstances.
For now, no team has expressed interest in claiming him off waivers, although it is admittedly difficult to envision another ball club going out of their way to snag him given his forgettable play for quite some time now. As such, this is probably it for the former 76er fan favorite.
Discussion about this post