NBA Draft Results: Orlando Magic select Dario Saric 12th-overall
After selecting former Arizona Wildcats’ power forward Aaron Gordon with the fourth-overall pick, the Orlando Magic made another surprising selection when they took Croatian forward Dario Saric with the 12th-overall selection.
More from NBA
- NBA insider: Cavaliers should consider trading Donovan Mitchell
- NBA rumors: Hawks trade candidate, Sixers miss out, Lakers almost lose Reaves
- NBA insider explains real reason the Grizzlies were done with Dillon Brooks
- Knicks projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season
- Rockets projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season
Saric was a bit of an enigma not only because he is a foreign player, but because many wondered if he would pull out of the 2014 NBA Draft like he did the 2013 NBA Draft. Although Saric remained in the draft, he signed a two-year contract with Turkish club Anadolu Efes, meaning we won’t be seeing him in the NBA for at least two years.
Saric measured in at 6’10 and 223 lbs. with a wignspan of 6’10 at the 2012 Hoops Summit. Last season, he averaged 16.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 49.7% from the field, 34.5% from beyond the arc and 68.1% from the free throw line. He is ranked by Jonathan Givony of Draft Express as eighth-best prospect in the draft.
Saric can step back and hit shots from beyond the arc and is a talented offensive player with great size, meaning he will likely be a solid, if not very good NBA player when he finally comes over. A team like the Magic, who is no position to win now, isn’t a bad fit for Saric.
However, it looks like he will be going to another team that won’t be winning this season. The Magic are reportedly shipping Saric and a future pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for former Louisiana Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns’ point guard Elfrid Payton, who will slide in and play point guard next the number two overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft, Victor Oladipo.
Grade: B-