The Sixer Sense
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Orlando Magic White Board Targets Philadelphia 76ers Dario Saric

By Bret Stuter

Mar 6, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (9) in action against the Milwaukee Bucks at Wells Fargo Center. The Milwaukee Bucks won 112-98. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (9) in action against the Milwaukee Bucks at Wells Fargo Center. The Milwaukee Bucks won 112-98. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 4, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (9) during the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Wells Fargo Center. The Detroit Pistons won 136-106. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (9) during the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Wells Fargo Center. The Detroit Pistons won 136-106. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Patricio Garino’s signed an Orlando Magic contract, but the background was the real story. Garino’s agent revealed the Magic’s white board to the world, including Magic’s plans to target Philadelphia 76ers Dario Saric

The Philadelphia 76ers have no reason to consider trade options with the Orlando Magic, until right now. Unless you are talking about positioning for the 2017 NBA Draft. Just one game separates the 76ers and the Magic, with the 76ers having the better record.  However, NBA Trade Rumors over the Philadelphia 76ers is always a stack of oily rags.  Yesterday, somebody threw a match to that stack.

Yesterday, the team signed Patricio Garino to a contract.  As such, Garino’s agent wanted to capture the moment via digital image. And the team’s white board was conveniently placed as a background for the Kodak moment. It just so happened that white board held the Orlando Magic off-season strategy.

Strategy Board Revealed

The entire debacle landed in an article from Orlando Sentinel’s Josh Robbins, a reporter who immediately understood what a faux pas that was.  Laid bare for everyone in the NBA to see, the Magic’s plans were placed on center stage.  Under the title “Hybrid Trade” fell the element which now links the Orlando Magic to the Philadelphia 76ers.

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Golden State Warriors: 1 aspect for every player to improve upon – Dario Saric /

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    • Dario Saric (for AG?)   AG in this case is likely Orlando Magic’s own power forward, Aaron Gordon. The Magic landed Gordon as the fourth selection in the 2014 NBA Draft, plays power forward, and has a similar game in some ways with the 76ers Saric.

    In some ways, but in other ways no.

    Comparable, But No….

    Gordon scores 12.4 points, pulls down 5.0 rebounds, dishes out 1.9 assists, steals 0.8 and blocks 0.49 shots per game.  He is in his third season.  Saric scores 12.9 points, pulls down 6.3 rebounds, dishes out 2.2 assists, steals .66, and blocks .36 shots per game.  He is just a rookie.

    But there is something more than just the number of years in the NBA which sours this deal.  The fact is that the Philadelphia 76ers have been assembling the pieces to building something very special in the NBA. Any actions to derail a piece of the assembly throw the entire build into jeopardy.  I don’t see the Philadelphia 76ers risking that at this early stage of the game.

    Sound Strategy, But…

    On one hand, it falls to reason that the Orlando Magic see Gordon’s contract ending in 2018, and by all accounts Dario Saric is an upgrade for two additional seasons. On the other hand, even if the Magic offered Aaron Gordon for Saric, they would need to add quite a bit more to the pot to pique the interest of the Philadelphia 76ers.  You see, Saric is one of the coveted pieces of the Philadelphia 76ers roster. If fact, he is one of the few healthy pieces on the team right now.

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    And that reason alone makes him untouchable.

    The Orlando Magic have more than one target.  On that same board, the picture reveals free agent targets.  On that list, former Philadelphia 76ers Ersan Ilyasova’s name appears.  In short, with Gordon on his contract year in the 2017-2018 season, the Magic are identifying possible alternatives for the player.

    Magic May Move On, But Not With “The Homie”

    Gordon is in his third NBA season. His first two seasons were nowhere near the level of play Dario Saric is exhibiting right now. So it’s perfectly understandable that the Magic are considering their options.  Should Gordon remain static or regress next season, the Magic are already working on their “Plan B”.

    But don’t believe for a minute that the Philadelphia 76ers are taking calls for Saric.  He is simply too integral to the team. Not only is he carrying the load now, but he is versatile enough to fill any number of team needs going forward.  He was selected by the former front office for the diversity of his skill sets.

    Now, he is delivering on all fronts. And his season is placing him as the front runner for NBA Rookie of the Year.   His name likely appears on quite a few white boards.

    But trades take two parties. Someone buying. Someone selling.  The Philadelphia 76ers are not selling.  So despite the white board revelations, the Philadelphia 76ers will pass on this one.

    Next: Who Is the Triple-Double Machine on the Philadelphia 76ers?

    Saric took two years to arrive to the Philadelphia 76ers. As far as I can tell, this is his final stop.