Croatian forward Dario Saric has agreed to join Turkish squad Anadolu Efes on a three-year deal, and ESPN's Chad Ford reports that will keep the 2014 NBA Draft hopeful from coming to the United States for at least two years.
Dario Saric expected to keep NBA waiting after signing with Turkish team
Lottery talent Dario Saric signed a three-year deal with Anadolu Efes in Turkey and likely won’t be able to join the NBA for two years.
Mike Stobe
The point forward has widely been considered a lottery talent, but he didn’t work out for teams and, as Ford reported, it’s been believed for some time that Saric would take a more European route. The 20-year-old will likely see his stock fall as a result of his decision, but there are teams that would select him at the end of the lottery.
The Phoenix Suns have four picks and could look at Saric with their 14th or 18th overall selections. Suns general manager Ryan McDonough has made it clear the team does not want to add three rookies to next season's roster. Likewise, the Chicago Bulls own the 16th and 19th picks and might be fine without another rookie contract on the books. They will be in a tight financial spot with the expectations they go after Carmelo Anthony in free agency.
The Atlanta Hawks (who have the 15th pick) have a history under Danny Ferry for taking European players, and the Boston Celtics at 17 could also be happy to take Saric, who of players in the draft class is considered to have one of the best basketball IQs.
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