Revisiting Philadelphia 76ers Dario Saric Trade

By Bret Stuter | Oct 8, 2016

Nov 2, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie prior to a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

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Former President Sam Hinkie traded Elfrid Payton for Dario Saric, Orlando’s 2017 top-11 protected first round pick and 2015 second round pick

Dario Saric arriving to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016 was not an accident.

If you have no appreciation for the magic of what Sam Hinkie did for the Philadelphia 76ers, I doubt that I can change your mind with one article. However, even if you do not applaud the results on the basketball court, even the most cynical detractor has to be somewhat amazed and awestruck at the complexity and deftness of Hinkie’s approach to an NBA Draft.

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While NBA teams treat the draft like a drive up window, Hinkie used it like a grocery store: buying ingredients to a exquisite banquet. One draft set up Hinkie’s hand in the next draft. Always with an eye to tomorrow, he used the value of the draft like an investor in a hedge fund, always doubling down, playing with house money, and walking away with an even stronger hand the following year.

The ultimate result is the arrival of Dario Saric to the roster this season. In just two preseason games, he has scored 24 points, brought in 10 rebounds, dished two assists, and one steal. He is shooting 69.2 percent from the floor and 66.7% from three point range. In short, he’s NBA ready.

But his journey is a tale unto itself. Much like the magic of Joel Embiid‘s journey to the NBA, it began with a vision from Sam Hinkie, and a process we have all come to trust.