PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers have signed international prospect Dario Saric two years after they acquired his rights on a draft-night deal.
Saric was originally drafted by the Orlando Magic with the 12th overall pick of the 2014 NBA draft and he was quickly traded to the Sixers for Elfrid Payton.
“We are thrilled to finally announce the highly anticipated signing of Dario Saric to an NBA player contract with the Philadelphia 76ers,” said Sixers President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo in a statement. “Our basketball team stands to benefit from both the on-court development and physical maturation of Dario as a professional player in Croatia and Turkey over the last few years.”
The 22-year-old Saric, a 6-foot-10, 243-pound power forward, played the last two seasons with the Turkish team Anadolu Efes. He was named MVP of the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament after averaging 14 points, 10 rebounds and two assists for his native Croatia.
Saric and fellow 2014 draft pick Joel Embiid have yet to play for the Sixers. Embiid should make his debut after missing the last two seasons with foot injuries.
Saric and Embiid join a roster that includes fellow lottery picks Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor and this year’s No. 1 overall pick, Ben Simmons.