Dario Saric has long been an interesting prospect in the NBA Draft, and not just because of his skills. The Croatian big man is one of the biggest question marks in the 2014 Lottery because teams are unsure if he will ever really come over to the NBA.
After entering and withdrawing his name in last year’s Draft, there has been buzz that Saric will finally be entering the Draft this year. The Adriatic League MVP is a prospect that scouts salivate over, a sweet-shooting big man in a league increasingly reliant on a stretch forward.
If there was more guarantee that Saric is coming over to the NBA, he would likely be a top-10 pick. The problem is teams believe the big man will stay in Europe if not drafted by a team that he likes. According to David Pick of Eurobasket.com, Saric will only come over if drafted by one of two teams.
Dario Saric, I'm told, has let it be known he plans to go to NBA next season if drafted by Celtics or Lakers.
— David Pick (@IAmDPick) May 29, 2014
While this isn’t the first we’ve heard of a prospect possibly trying to force his way to the Lakers, the idea of Saric staying in Europe if not taken by Boston or Los Angeles is a very real threat to teams. No GM wants to spend a lottery pick, especially in this draft, for a player who will not be on the roster opening night.
While it’s unlikely the Lakers or Celtics take Saric with the 6th or 7th pick respectively, we could see him slide down to the Celtics at 17 if teams shy away from him.
