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Philadelphia 76ers: Dario Saric is struggling during preseason

Lucas Johnson|
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 5: Dario Saric #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket against the Dallas Mavericks as part of the 2018 China Games on October 5, 2018 at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, China. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 5: Dario Saric #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket against the Dallas Mavericks as part of the 2018 China Games on October 5, 2018 at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, China. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Philadelphia 76ers third year power forward Dario Saric isn’t putting out his normal performance and is struggling during this preseason.

Usually players entering their third NBA season show vast improvement from their previous two seasons, however that’s not the case for Dario Saric. The Philadelphia 76ers European talent has had poor performances against both NBA teams the Sixers have played against this preseason.

Saric did perform well in Philadelphia’s first preseason game, but that was against Melbourne United which isn’t an NBA team, so having a good performance shouldn’t come as a surprise for the forward. Against the Orlando Magic and the Dallas Mavericks, Saric shot a combined 4-17 from the floor and 1-7 from the 3-point arc.

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It’s doubtful that Saric regressed that dramatically during the summer. The more likely and obvious answer to Saric’s poor shooting performances in the last two preseason matchups is the insertion of Markelle Fultz into the starting lineup. While its great for the Sixers to have two players that can create off the dribble in the starting lineup, in Fultz and Ben Simmons, it has hurt Saric’s game.

Simmons still essentially has no range to his jump shot and Fultz is still developing his outside shot, so their inability to shoot from the perimeter hurts the Sixers spacing on offense. That’s not to mention that Joel Embiid can clog up the paint as well. This gives Saric a lot less space to operate offensively. Unless Fultz’ jump shot develops significantly quicker or Simmons starts taking 3-pointers, there’s only one logical solution to Saric’s poor offensive numbers.

Before offering this solution, let it be known that I’m not a big fan of this for the long term. However, Christopher Kline Co-Site Expert of The Sixers has written in the past that Saric, not J.J. Redick, should become the Sixers sixth man. Kline made the excellent point that Saric would thrive coming off the bench and not having to play with Simmons and/or Embiid.

This shouldn’t be a permanent move to the bench, it should be considered an option until Fultz and/or Simmons can become a viable threat from downtown. It may be a move the Sixers will have to make for the rest of this season and hopefully by the beginning of next season at least until one of the Sixers playmakers can hit a 3-point shot with some consistency.

Kline also warned fans not to overact to Saric’s bad preseason in a separate article. In harmony with Kline’s message, this move shouldn’t be made right away, instead head coach Brett Brown should give Saric time to adjust before making this change. It’s very possible that Saric needs time to adjust to Fultz being in the starting five. Brown should wait at least 10 regular season games to see if Saric can figure out how to play with Fultz, before bringing the European talent off the bench.

The Philadelphia 76ers coaching staff shouldn’t make a knee jerk reaction and send Saric to the bench before the regular season begins. They need to give him time to adjust to the change in the lineup. However, if his shooting struggles continue to persist into the regular season, then having him come off the bench should be a considered option.