The Sixer Sense
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Is Dario Saric the Sixers’ third best player?

By Christopher Kline

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 15: Dario Saric #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers poses for a portrait as part of the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend on February 15, 2018 at the Mariott in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 15: Dario Saric #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers poses for a portrait as part of the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend on February 15, 2018 at the Mariott in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Dario Saric has been playing stellar basketball this season. Is he already the Philadelphia 76ers‘ third-best player.

We didn’t really know what to expect out of Dario Saric entering the season. He was supposed to come off the bench, taking on a sixth man role as Markelle Fultz was integrated into the Philadelphia 76ers‘ new-look starting lineup. When Fultz was struggling, Jerryd Bayless simply took his spot.

That only lasted seven games, though, with Brett Brown quickly reverting back to Saric in an effort to establish some much-needed rhythm for his second-year forward. It took a while, but that move has paid off in a big way.

Saric has scored double-digit points in 35 consecutive games, averaging 17.1 points and shooting 41 percent from deep over that stretch. Given his struggles with inconsistency last season, that’s a significant improvement.

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Those numbers will likely regress to the mean at some point, but this is no longer a fluke. Saric has more arc under his shot and looks comfortable in his role next to Joel Embiid in Ben Simmons.

If his shooting continues to progress, Saric should be a legitimate piece of the Sixers’ future. His offensive skill set, even if it isn’t maximized in Philadelphia, brings a lot to the table. He’s a nifty passer, while his scoring prowess in the post has led to more possessions being devoted to getting him the ball around the paint.

He’s also a solid rebounder, displaying constant energy on the boards. That energy translates to the defensive end as well, which helps make up for his limited athleticism in some scenarios.

The question now boils down to whether or not Saric is already the third-best player on this team. Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons obviously top that list, but The Homie has made a compelling case against the likes of Robert Covington and J.J. Redick over the past few months.

The benefits of each player are fairly obvious. Redick is an off-ball killer, tirelessly running through screens and finding his way to open spots on the perimeter. One of the best shooters in the league and the Sixers’ second-leading scorer, his impact on their offense is evident on a nightly basis.

Covington has been slumping lately, but he still brings a lot to the table. He’s capable of hitting shots from well beyond the arc, while his defense puts him among the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. He takes on the challenge of guarding the opposition’s best player most nights, while his length and quick hands allow him to switch between positions and force steals with regularity.

Dario’s skill set seems to cover more ground than those two, though. He’s not the same two-way presence that Covington is, but he has been more effective as a shooter lately while boasting a more advanced all-around game on the offensive end.

Saric’s passing can get lost in the shuffle behind Embiid and Simmons, but he still breaks out the occasional Jokic-esque dime. His ability to attack off the dribble or work out of the post, using his strong frame and touch to carve out shots, is something Covington simply can’t match.

Next: Grading every Sixers player at the All-Star break

In short, this debate comes down to a handful of factors: what parts of the game you value most and whether or not you think Saric can sustain his current rate of production. As things currently stand, it feels like Saric has earned the title of third-best player on the roster.