The other day, a whiteboard with a lot of NBA players last name was leaked after the Orlando Magic tweeted a picture of their newest signing. On the board was a list of potential targets they could go after via trade or free agency. One name under the trade section was “Saric (AG?)” as in potentially trading Aaron Gordon for Dario Saric.
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 3, 2017
Dario Saric has had a great post-All-Star Break season, averaging 18.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in just about 32 minutes per game. His field goal percentage has increased over the first half of the season, and his usage rate has also gone up. With his recent play, Saric has firmly placed his name in the discussion for Rookie of the Year, so it’s no wonder the Magic are interested in him.
Keith Pompey of the Philly Inquirer and Philly Daily News recently tweeted out that the 76ers have not had any talks with other teams about the availability of Dario Saric.
The #Sixers have never discussed sending @dariosaric to the #OrlandoMagic or any other team, according to a league source.
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) April 4, 2017
What’s interesting about the Magic being interested in Saric is that they were the ones who originally drafted him in 2014. They took him with the 12th pick, and then sent him and a 2017 first round draft pick to the 76ers for Elfrid Payton. The Magic had already drafted Aaron Gordon with the fourth overall pick earlier in the same draft.
The Philadelphia 76ers may have some decisions to make in the next year or two with their young guys, but for now, they aren’t trading away Dario Saric.
