2015 NBA Draft: 5 International Prospects to Watch for 76ers

Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Dario Saric (Croatia) reacts 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

The Philadelphia 76ers had seven (!) draft picks in the 2014 NBA Draft. Their haul coming out of New York in June consisted of a wide variety of players; high-upside guys like Joel Embiid who couldn’t play right away, NBA-ready high-ceiling players like K.J. McDaniels, and a couple of intriguing development prospects. The Sixers couldn’t only draft guys to add to the roster immediately, however, and obtained two international prospects as well in Dario Saric of Croatia and Vasilije Micic of Serbia. Both players are NBA talents with potential, but neither will play in the NBA for at least two years, while they play out newly signed contracts in Turkey and Germany, respectively.

This gives the Sixers some flexibility in building their roster. They can wait a couple years to bring these players over, which allows them to field more young players, giving them a higher chance at developing quality NBA talent. It’s a process that plenty of teams use. The Spurs have made the tactic of utilizing international leagues for development famous with Manu Ginobili, but guys like Luis Scola, Jonas Valanciunas, and Nikola Mirotic have all come to the NBA after being stashed in the Euro leagues.

Looking towards the 2015 NBA Draft, the 76ers could look to grab more international players. They will likely sport two first-round picks and two or three second-rounders. With a growing number of young players, Philly will need to stash at least one of those guys. Since this 76ers season is going to be a rough one to watch, here are five international players who could be on the 76ers’ radar for this season’s draft.