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

By Bret Stuter

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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Feb 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Plan B Options:

If the Philadelphia 76ers are unsuccessful in persuading Dario Saric to join the team this year, it’s not a huge setback. The options are actually pretty optimistic.

Option I – Jahlil Okafor – Jahlil Okafor played approximately 15-20 games as a power forward. He was thrown from the center role into the power forward slot and while some feel he failed initially, if the team prepared him for the role before the beginning of the season he could flourish in the role.

Option II – Carl Landry – Carl Landry, the “MVP” of the 2015-2016 season, actually did a far better job at the four position than expected.  A full 82 game season is likely too much to ask of the man who struggled to stay healthy in the 2015-2016 season.  But when he was on the court, he was accurate and productive.  He also lends a veteran presence on the court.

Option III – Ben Simmons – Hey, the guy we are likely to select first in the NBA draft knows how to play the position.   While Simmons has to develop a perimeter shot, the Sixers have played Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor at the four, neither of whom had a perimeter shot.

Option IV – Joel Embiid – This is one of my favorite scenarios.  Pull Joel Embiid out to the four, slide Jahlil Okafor to the five, and set Ben Simmons up at the three.   Pace, Space and Pass offense would get a booster shot with this option.   Okafor sits in the post to score virtually at will.  If the defense collapses on Okafor, Simmons can keep the ball and shoot it or draw defense his way and then flip to Joel Embiid for a clean shot.

OPTION V – If the team receives favorable feedback from another team about a potential trade back into the top five, the team can explore the possibility of trading into the draft for Dragen Bender.   Bender is gaining popularity in this draft, as he is more and more appearing to be an incredibly athletic but raw big man.

Keep in mind that the Philadelphia 76ers retain the rights to Dario Saric whether or not he joins the team this year.  But ideally, the Sixers want to get his hot hand into the line up and move forward with a very talented roster.

Next: 2016 USA Men's Select Team Name Jahlil Okafor and Jerami Grant

The only complication is the timing. That is something that we Philadelphia 76ers fans are becoming good at overcoming.