Fansided

Father Says Philadelphia 76ers Pick Dario Saric Wants To Leave Turkish Team

By Phil Watson

Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Dario Saric (Croatia) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number twelve overall pick to the Orlando Magic in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Dario Saric (Croatia) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number twelve overall pick to the Orlando Magic in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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The father of Philadelphia 76ers draftee Dario Saric says his son is unhappy with his team in Turkey and may be looking into jumping to the NBA.

Dario Saric, the No. 12 overall pick in June’s NBA draft, was not thought to be coming to the NBA this season after he signed with a top club in Turkey.

But according to a report, Saric is not happy with his role for Anadolu Efes and might want to get out of his contract sooner rather than later.

Saric’s father, Predrag Saric, told the Croatian website Jutarnji.hr:

"“I am afraid it is time to be alarmed. Dario is depressed, nothing is clear. If Efes continues to keep him out, we will look for someone who can pay to breach the contract. Dario has to play. He doesn’t have to watch the games from the stands. He is healthy.”"

The translation was provided by Sportando.com.

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According to Pro Basketball Talk, draft picks who aren’t immediately coming into the NBA often sign a letter that states they are deferring their arrival. That allows teams to clear the cap hold for the player. If Saric signed a letter to that effect, he can’t come to the 76ers this year.

However, if he didn’t sign a letter, it would just be a matter of the 76ers and Efes negotiating a buyout of Saric’s contract.

Given that Philadelphia—as part of its 75-year rebuilding plan—has massive amounts of space open under the salary cap this season, it’s possible that the 76ers didn’t bother to clear the cap hold on Saric.

Coach Brett Brown of the 76ers said Saric is “NBA ready” after scouting him during the FIBA World Cup last month.

Is he NBA-ready enough for the 76ers to actually add him to the roster? That question could come down to how much it will cost Philadelphia to get Saric out of the three-year contract with Efes that he signed in June.

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