Should we try to free Saric

[celticsclay]

Dario Saric, who was a darling on this board only about a year ago (man did those takes age bad lol), has now basically fallen out of the Suns rotation. After averaging 26-28 minutes the first few months of the season he has been down to 8 minutes per game this month dropping all the way down to 6 and 4 the last two games. Worse this is happening even with fellow big man Kaminsky out who could be back eventually and potentially ahead of him.

From Valley of the Suns: "After starting every game the entire season, Dario Saric‘s minutes for the Phoenix Suns have fallen off a cliff and I’m not really sure why.

After only playing less than 20 minutes in one game through the first 28 games of the season, Saric has only played more than 20 minutes in one game in the Suns’ last eight games. In the previous two games, Saric hasn’t started, and only seen the court for a nominal four and five minutes respectively."

Should we try to pry Saric free from one of our projects? His salary seems manageable.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I like Saric and think he can be part of a championship caliber team. If it's Poirier and a second, yes.

[tonydelk]

I like Saric and think he can be part of a championship caliber team. If it's Poirier and a second, yes.

I think he'd be a great addition for our bench.  He'd be a good player to pair with Kanter for spacing and rebounding purposes but I'm not sure what kind of D he plays.  He would cost more then a 2nd.  He has talent and is an expiring contract.  I'm sure the Milwaukee pick would need to be sent to get him along with a player at the end of our bench.

[celticsclay]

I like Saric and think he can be part of a championship caliber team. If it's Poirier and a second, yes.

I think he'd be a great addition for our bench.  He'd be a good player to pair with Kanter for spacing and rebounding purposes but I'm not sure what kind of D he plays.  He would cost more then a 2nd.  He has talent and is an expiring contract.  I'm sure the Milwaukee pick would need to be sent to get him along with a player at the end of our bench.

I am fine with the Bucks pick (30th) and end of bench guy also. I am honestly not sure how the 30th pick is viewed around the league because the rules state that the contract is guaranteed for two years right? i feel like people don't always want to guarantee a 30th pick two years.

[BitterJim]

I like Saric and think he can be part of a championship caliber team. If it's Poirier and a second, yes.

I think he'd be a great addition for our bench.  He'd be a good player to pair with Kanter for spacing and rebounding purposes but I'm not sure what kind of D he plays.  He would cost more then a 2nd.  He has talent and is an expiring contract.  I'm sure the Milwaukee pick would need to be sent to get him along with a player at the end of our bench.

I am fine with the Bucks pick (30th) and end of bench guy also. I am honestly not sure how the 30th pick is viewed around the league because the rules state that the contract is guaranteed for two years right? i feel like people don't always want to guarantee a 30th pick two years.

There is a way around that (like the Thunder did with Josh Huestis, if that hole hasn't been closed in the most recent CBA), but yes, that's a reason that the 30th pick is often viewed as less valuable than the 31st

[liam]

Saric is a really good fit in Brad's system. If you can pick him up at little cost then it seems like a no brainer.

[Moranis]

I like Saric and think he can be part of a championship caliber team. If it's Poirier and a second, yes.

I think he'd be a great addition for our bench.  He'd be a good player to pair with Kanter for spacing and rebounding purposes but I'm not sure what kind of D he plays.  He would cost more then a 2nd.  He has talent and is an expiring contract.  I'm sure the Milwaukee pick would need to be sent to get him along with a player at the end of our bench.

I am fine with the Bucks pick (30th) and end of bench guy also. I am honestly not sure how the 30th pick is viewed around the league because the rules state that the contract is guaranteed for two years right? i feel like people don't always want to guarantee a 30th pick two years.

There is a way around that (like the Thunder did with Josh Huestis, if that hole hasn't been closed in the most recent CBA), but yes, that's a reason that the 30th pick is often viewed as less valuable than the 31st

Of course the money is also set, which it isn't as a 2nd round pick.  The European guys in particular often make more money as 2nd round picks then they would as 1st round picks.

The Suns are just being the Suns.  It isn't like Saric wasn't producing.  I mean in 25.6 mpg, Saric is averaging 10.2/6.6/1.9, which per 36 equates to 14.4/9.2/2.7.  That is pretty solid production.  His TS% is 55 (not terrible) and he is actually rebounding at a better rate, assisting at a better rate, turning it over less than his career rate, has the lowest usage of his career, etc.  In other words, he was playing pretty well overall.  Now maybe they don't like the fit between him and Ayton, but I don't see how Kaminsky is really any different as they are pretty similar skill sets. 

I'd certainly do Poirier and the Milwaukee 1st.  I'd do it for Boston's own 1st instead of Milwaukee's if they wanted the slightly better draft pick.  I'd probably even give them a better player than Poirier if I had to (though it might alter the draft pick component to do that).  Saric would be a great bench big to have.  Decent floor spacing, respectable enough passer, decent rebounder, etc.  Could maybe even start him on the days when one of the wings are out (so like if Hayward is out start Brown, Tatum and Saric as the 2,3,4 or something like that). 

[jambr380]

I always thought that reasoning was a bit foolish. If you are selecting a player in the draft, you should feel comfortable guaranteeing that player at least two years at just over $1M/yr. It also helps for teams short on 1st rounders (or ones that want extras to trade) as it avoids the Stepien rule. There is always selecting a European player if you aren't ready for him to come over.

As for Saric, he seems like a nice option and maybe a likely target with the Bertans interest. I would probably be more interested in a guard/wing scorer who can create for himself (haha - Ish Smith, anybody?  ), but at least both of those guys can put the ball in the hoop.

[Who]

Saric is a really good fit in Brad's system. If you can pick him up at little cost then it seems like a no brainer.

Yeah, I see it that way too - Stevens' offense would be great for Saric. Stevens likes multi-dimensional players who can handle the ball well, pass well and shoot some. Saric would allow the Celtics to stay bigger at PF when one of Tatum, Jaylen, Hayward sits.

Saric (PF/SF) also does not overlap with Smart (SG/PG) so Smart's minutes should not be effected. That would give Boston two strong players off the bench. Kanter a 3rd strong bench player matchups permitting. Beyond them, Celtics would have a lot of good situational players - Semi, Edwards, Rob Williams, Grant Williams.

Actually now that I write that I wonder if Ainge would pass on Saric so that Saric does not effect Grant Williams' development. If Ainge feels Grant Williams can offer somewhat similar value / skills at PF in the near future (this year or next) ... and that is not worth giving up anything for Saric (picks, future contract) if you already have Grant Williams.

I'd like Saric though. I think he'd be a great fit on this team and give the bench an added boost. Those PG, SG, SF, PF positions off the bench aside from Smart can be unreliable. Saric isn't the most consistent guy in the world but I do feel he is a good upgrade over the current crop in terms of dependability.

[celticsclay]

I feel like this is kind of the most i have seen people agree one of these players in another team's doghouse.

[liam]

Saric is a really good fit in Brad's system. If you can pick him up at little cost then it seems like a no brainer.

Yeah, I see it that way too - Stevens' offense would be great for Saric. Stevens likes multi-dimensional players who can handle the ball well, pass well and shoot some. Saric would allow the Celtics to stay bigger at PF when one of Tatum, Jaylen, Hayward sits.

Saric (PF/SF) also does not overlap with Smart (SG/PG) so Smart's minutes should not be effected. That would give Boston two strong players off the bench. Kanter a 3rd strong bench player matchups permitting. Beyond them, Celtics would have a lot of good situational players - Semi, Edwards, Rob Williams, Grant Williams.

Actually now that I write that I wonder if Ainge would pass on Saric so that Saric does not effect Grant Williams' development. If Ainge feels Grant Williams can offer somewhat similar value / skills at PF in the near future (this year or next) ... and that is not worth giving up anything for Saric (picks, future contract) if you already have Grant Williams.

I'd like Saric though. I think he'd be a great fit on this team and give the bench an added boost. Those PG, SG, SF, PF positions off the bench aside from Smart can be unreliable. Saric isn't the most consistent guy in the world but I do feel he is a good upgrade over the current crop in terms of dependability.

I think That your Grant Williams point is the best reason not to go after Saric. I do think Saric is worth a shot though....

[blink]

I feel like this is kind of the most i have seen people agree one of these players in another team's doghouse.

I feel like this is about the only trade idea that I have agreed with on this board, for ....well a really long time.  I like the idea of Saric w/ Tatum and Kanter when the 2nd unit needs scoring if Tatum is off.

If we can get Saric with a late first round pick and Poirier, I am all for it.  We need scoring off the bench.  I know this may hurt Grant's PT, and lots of folks may not like that, but this season has morphed from 'we can probably be a 4, 5 or 6 seed in the playoffs' to 'we have a legit chance to get to the ECF'.

[RPGenerate]

I think the Suns bite on Poirier and the Milwaukee first. Better to get a pick for Saric than to the lose him.

[saltlover]

I like Saric and think he can be part of a championship caliber team. If it's Poirier and a second, yes.

I think he'd be a great addition for our bench.  He'd be a good player to pair with Kanter for spacing and rebounding purposes but I'm not sure what kind of D he plays.  He would cost more then a 2nd.  He has talent and is an expiring contract.  I'm sure the Milwaukee pick would need to be sent to get him along with a player at the end of our bench.

I am fine with the Bucks pick (30th) and end of bench guy also. I am honestly not sure how the 30th pick is viewed around the league because the rules state that the contract is guaranteed for two years right? i feel like people don't always want to guarantee a 30th pick two years.

There is a way around that (like the Thunder did with Josh Huestis, if that hole hasn't been closed in the most recent CBA), but yes, that's a reason that the 30th pick is often viewed as less valuable than the 31st

The Thunder didn’t really get around that with Huestis.  They put him in the D league for a year, but once he signed, it was a standard 1st round contract.  Similar to stashing someone overseas.

[smokeablount]

I feel like this is kind of the most i have seen people agree one of these players in another team's doghouse.

I feel like this is about the only trade idea that I have agreed with on this board, for ....well a really long time.  I like the idea of Saric w/ Tatum and Kanter when the 2nd unit needs scoring if Tatum is off.

If we can get Saric with a late first round pick and Poirier, I am all for it.  We need scoring off the bench.  I know this may hurt Grant's PT, and lots of folks may not like that, but this season has morphed from 'we can probably be a 4, 5 or 6 seed in the playoffs' to 'we have a legit chance to get to the ECF'.

TP, this pretty much sums up my views on Saric from all angles.