2. Dario Saric
Despite evidence pointing to the contrary, Brett Brown appears convinced that J.J. Redick is the best option in a sixth man role. That might change, but for now, Dario Saric is locked into the starting five.
Last season, Saric upped his three-point percentage to 39.3 — a momentous improvement for someone billed as a streaky shooter in years past. The question now is simple: can Saric maintain that efficiency from deep?
If Redick is permanently in the second unit, it will be important for Saric to supplement Simmons, Embiid and Markelle Fultz with elite shooting. If last season was a fluke, it will only strengthen the argument for starting Redick instead.
At 6-foot-10, Saric brings value as a playmaker and post-up scorer. Some might argue that those are his best traits. The issue is a lack of opportunity. In the starting unit, most of those duties are enlisted to Simmons and Embiid.
If Saric is going to start, he needs to continue his strong performance from deep. He missed all but one three-point attempt in four preseason games. A notoriously slow starter, that’s something he’ll need to mend.