How Good Will Dario Saric Be?

[BleedGreen1989]

TP for the interview Lucky.

Makes me sour on him a bit.

I hate this idea of spending a top-10 pick on a prospect and he doesn't even put your uniform on for at least another year.

[Lucky17]

TP for the interview Lucky.

Makes me sour on him a bit.

I hate this idea of spending a top-10 pick on a prospect and he doesn't even put your uniform on for at least another year.

Yeah, that cools my interest in him a little bit.

Then again, perhaps the Boston mystique might persuade him to come over sooner than 2016? Tough to say what exactly Saric and his agent are looking for.

[D.o.s.]

Saric did declare, but he has the option of withdrawing if he feels he's not going to be a top-ten pick, AND it sounds like there is a high probability that he will stay in Europe for another year (not coming over until 2016) even if he is drafted.

Recent interview with his agent:

Misko Raznatovic: Dario Saric Will Declare for the 2014 NBA Draft
April 16, 2014
An exclusive wide-ranging interview with Dario Saric's new agent Misko Raznatovic of Beobasket declaring his intentions to enter the 2014 NBA Draft and laying out the plan for his new client for this summer and beyond.

DraftExpress: Will Dario Saric be entering the 2014 NBA Draft?

Misko Raznatovic: Dario will declare for the 2014 draft in the next seven days for sure, what's a logical step after the best season in his career. He was voted the best young player in Europe by FIBA, as well as MVP of the Adriatic League.

DraftExpress: Will Saric keep his name in the draft at the withdrawal deadline?

Misko Raznatovic: It is very difficult to say at this moment. His target is to be in the top 10 picks of the draft this year, maybe it would be acceptable to be a lottery pick. If we have a clear situation for getting where we would like him to be drafted, then for sure he will keep his name in.

DraftExpress: What will need to happen for Saric to join a NBA team immediately next season?

Misko Raznatovic: It's very difficult to predict now. Dario's ultimate dream is to be a NBA All-Star and he absolutely does not accept anything less than that. At this moment he believes that is better to stay in Europe for a season or two, to get a taste of the Euroleague, and then to enter the NBA when he has more experience. He believes that it will be a shortcut for making his dream. But he did not make a final decision about that, and I will not absolutely exclude that option as well. He just wants to make a proper step and be in a place where he will be able to develop and play.

DraftExpress: How can a NBA team be confident that we aren't talking about another Fran Vazquez situation, where the player gets picked in the lottery and decides not to ever sign a NBA contract, which makes the team that drafted him look incredibly foolish and maybe costs a GM his job?

Misko Raznatovic: I really believe that after talking for five minutes with Dario, that doubt will be gone. He cannot wait to become a NBA player, and this is his ultimate goal. He will be in the league no later than 2016, and with good chances to start earlier.

DraftExpress: Why is Dario's father so anti-NBA?

Misko Raznatovic: He is absolutely not anti-NBA. He is just against him coming to the league this summer, because he believes it's too early for him. He was teammates with Drazen Petrovic, along with other Croatian former NBA players from that period, and he strongly believes that they (Kukoc, Radja, Petrovic) had success in the NBA due to coming later in their career (after a couple of serious seasons in the Euroleague).

DraftExpress: Will Dario's father continue to give interviews about his future constantly while he is in the draft and ultimately joins the NBA?

Misko Raznatovic: When you talk with him, it's always interesting and fun. He is open to talking, and journalists used it to get some sensational interviews. There's nothing especially wrong there, and every day it will be better and better. He worries about the future of his son, and nothing more than that.

DraftExpress: ‎What communication has Anadolu Efes had or attempted to have with Dario about signing a contract next season?

Misko Raznatovic: There's been practically no communication until now. As you know European teams do not build their teams in April, especially not when you're talking about a huge buyout, like in Dario's case.

DraftExpress: ESPN reported that he already‎ signed a three year contract with Efes. How true is that?

Misko Raznatovic: That's absolutely false information. As I clearly stated Dario did not decide anything about his summer direction (NBA or Europe). People believe this due to my link with Mr. Dusan Ivkovic (a client of mine, rumored to be their next coach). If you follow European basketball sites, Micic, Krstic and Doelmann (all clients of mine) are also linked with Efes.

DraftExpress: Why has Dario's situation the last few years always seemed so unstable?

Misko Raznatovic: I really don't want to comment about the past, but I am sure that this instability is over. We talked a lot, and agreed about everything. We have our plan now and I believe that in the future everything will go accordingly. He's a special person, and I really enjoy talking with him and representing him.

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com#ixzz30OGuoQ00
http://www.draftexpress.com

Any updates on Saric?  His agent said a week ago he'd be declaring in the next week.  Glad I took him off the list.

Saric is ephemeral.  He'll probably declare on the deadline.  Of course, as a foreign player he can take his name out in the middle of June, so who knows how many times you'll have to edit the list on his behalf.

Is he just trying to get leverage to milk his Euro team out of more money or something?  His pre-draft behavior has been very bizarre and erratic the last couple of years, but I don't really know the backstory to it.

His agent has said that his father is too involved in the decision making process..

Bingo. His agent thinks that his family is too involved in providing an opinion that's clearly running counter to what the agent thinks should happen.

I'd probably put more stock in what the family said -- the agent's just trying to get paid.

[clover]

His agent represents Krstic? Is that good or bad for Boston?

[Lucky17]

His agent represents Krstic? Is that good or bad for Boston?

Don't know. Krstic could certainly tell Saric about playing in Boston, maybe the culture of the ballclub, how Danny Ainge is a snake, where to go for good barbecue.

[Celtics18]

It gets better and better.  According to the agent interview, he is not currently signed with any European club past this season.

The agent says the kid desperately wants to be in the NBA.  He just finished dominating the Adriatic League and leading his team to the title.  He's almost unquestionably going to be top ten if he stays in.

It sounds like he could well be playing in the NBA as early as next season.

[aporel#18]

I've been in the Saric bandwagon for a while, and I hope he's available by #17. I wouldn't use a top 8 pick on him, rather trade down to 11-14 and pick him there while grabbing an additional asset.

Saric can be very very good, but he needs to work on his strength if he's going to play in the NBA. For his development he better stay a couple of years in Europe to work on that, plus learning how to win in a tougher league, like Euroleague, ACB, VTB or even the Turkish League. ABA is a lot better than NCAA, but nowhere near those top-leagues. Plus, the Final Four format favors upsets, so he better tone down a bit, as he has a lot to learn about winning and being a leader. That said, I doubt Parker would tear the Adriatic League down, he would be a top player if able to adapt to a different country, but that's a grown men league, not a one-and-done competition.

If Mirotic leaves Real Madrid to play for the Bulls, Saric could be a good replacement for Nikola. He could learn a lot, playing 25-plus minutes while earning a bit less, and be ready to play for the Celtics (hopefully) in a couple of years. If Dario is drafted too high he could face too much pressure and fail to reach his potential. If he signed that kind of contract, teams would be afraid to pick him too early, and might be available at #17. Pipe dream? maybe, but beautiful dream 

[vjcsmoke]

At #17 for sure, I'd take a shot.  Then stash him overseas to develop in the Euroleague for example.

I would not use our 1st pick though, we need an impact player who will play, start playing right away, similar to the way we got KO developed his rookie season.

I wouldn't mind a slight trade up, say our #17 plus a 2nd round pick to get in range for Saric in the late lottery.

As for upside I see a lot of comparisons to Detlef Schrempf and Manu Ginobili which is not bad at all if he ever reaches his ceiling.

[Watch them all]

We already have this guy except KO is two inches taller and more advanced.

[aporel#18]

We already have this guy except KO is two inches taller and more advanced.

nah... they share the PG skills, but Saric is far more agile and athletic than KO. KO is a PF, while Dario, in the NBA, should play SF.

by the way, Danny Ainge (amongst a bunch of NBA scouts) was in Badalona (Spain) last Sunday, to watch Walter Tavares (Gran Canaria) and Guillem Vives (Joventut Badalona):

link

Tavares is huge, and his progression is amazing since a year ago, I wouldn't be surprised if a GM used a first round pick to get him.

Guillem Vives is a 6'4" PG, with very good instincts, not a bad shooter (still developing, of course), and very high BBIQ, at 20 y.o. he plays like a veteran. A good option for a pick-and-stash 2nd rounder.

[CFAN38]

We already have this guy except KO is two inches taller and more advanced.

nah... they share the PG skills, but Saric is far more agile and athletic than KO. KO is a PF, while Dario, in the NBA, should play SF.

by the way, Danny Ainge (amongst a bunch of NBA scouts) was in Badalona (Spain) last Sunday, to watch Walter Tavares (Gran Canaria) and Guillem Vives (Joventut Badalona):

link

Tavares is huge, and his progression is amazing since a year ago, I wouldn't be surprised if a GM used a first round pick to get him.

Guillem Vives is a 6'4" PG, with very good instincts, not a bad shooter (still developing, of course), and very high BBIQ, at 20 y.o. he plays like a veteran. A good option for a pick-and-stash 2nd rounder.

With the lack of centers in this draft it wouldn't shock me to see Tavares end up in the late 1st. He has nice production in the ACB this year 21min 6pts 7rb 1.7blk 73%FT.

[sofutomygaha]

He cannot wait to become a NBA player

My favorite quote from that interview, submitted immediately after declaring that he intends to wait 1-2 years to become an NBA player.

[csfansince60s]

Quite possibly not much better than Kyle Anderson, if at all..

Definitely, not as versatile. Anderson can play 3 positions, including running a team Definitely not as good a shooter.  Saric more athletic and agile, but still not very quick. Anderson has a 5" longer wingspan and a 9' standing reach but Saric 1 1/2" taller.

Both good passers, but Anderson slightly better. Both see the floor real well, but again, Anderson slightly better. Both have great feel for the game with similarly high basketaball IQs.

I think I take Anderson over Saric, slo-mo and all.

[footey]

Saric appears to be more athletic than Slo Mo.  Also better defender, although by no means a great defender. Slo Mo is awful on D. Awful. Makes Kelly look like Tony Allen.

[Tr1boy]

Saric is a better player now than any players in this draft. Developed (shot needs consistentcy but improved) and a champion. Danny will look at him even at 5.  Him actually coming over is the issue. His dad doesnt want to leave