Meeting Now. Should Dario Saric Decline, What’s Our Plan B?

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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Mar 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) in the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers during the SEC tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) in the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers during the SEC tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Compound Fractures

The Philadelphia 76ers are sitting on the top pick of this NBA draft, where the consensus number one player selected will likely be forward Ben Simmons.  While I see Ben Simmons versatility as a huge plus, the team is not describing him as such.

The team sees Simmons as a forward based on his height.  He has basketball IQ of a point guard. He passes like a point guard.   He defends like a point guard.  But he stands as tall as a power forward and doesn’t have a developed perimeter shot.

That spells power forward to the unimaginative.

Ben Simmons will be the number one pick of the Philadelphia 76ers, and as such will expect to start for the Philadelphia 76ers.  If the team has designated him to be the power forward, that will force Dario Saric to the bench or to another position  to compete for minutes in that role.

We touched on this complication on a separate article.   We understand that having Simmons and Saric on the basketball court creates nightmares in passing lanes, and places a very tall lineup onto the court.

But that is when Saric arrrives, right now the matter is unsolved.

Next: Plan B Options