Portland Trail Blazers power forward option two – Dario Saric
Dario Saric could be a perfect power forward next to Jusuf Nurkic.
Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the process era, Saric had a solid first two years in the NBA. After running a close second in the rookie of the year race in 2016/17, Saric had a huge 2017/18 playoffs.
Sadly though, he was shipped out to the struggling Minnesota Timberwolves the next season, where he failed to make an impact on a terrible team. Then, the next season, he was traded by the Wolves on draft night to the Phoenix Suns. This year, Saric was a lot more efficient and played some excellent basketball on a Suns team that surprised in certain parts of the year. Saric was at his best in the bubble, averaging 15 points a game on over 50 percent from three.
Saric is a pure offensive center who at six-foot-ten can shoot it, play in the post, and is a great passer. He doesn’t offer any rim protection, but he plays hard on that end and is a good rebounder.
Saric isn’t great around the rim, but he is improving there, and he is a career 36 percent shooter from three. He is the type of guy who, if left to develop, can probably be a starting four on a good team.
On the Blazers, he would fit nicely next to Nurkic because of Nurk’s defensive prowess. Having a floor stretching four who could initiate offense and spot up from the corner would make a big difference to this Blazers offense. A six-foot-ten forward who could screen for Lillard and then pop out to the three-point line.
I would commit a decent portion of the Blazers mid-level to Saric if that were what it took. A three-year deal between $6 and $9 million with a player option may get it done for both sides.