Brett Brown: Deal With Dario Saric Coming ‘in Next Few Days'; Ben Simmons Can Play PG

We've seen the reports.

Dario Saric says he's going to play for the Sixers next season.

But we have yet to hear any actual optimism from the team itself.

Until now.

Head coach Brett Brown was a guest Tuesday on NBATV's broadcast of the Sixers' summer league game with the Warriors and said a deal with Saric is imminent. 

"It's still too early to be 100 percent certain, but it is that close," Brown said, "and we feel quite confident in the next few days we'll be able to make an announcement."

Saric has until July 17 to notify his current team, Anadolu Efes in Turkey, of his decision. 

Philadelphia 76ers

Complete coverage of the Philadelphia 76ers and their rivals in the NBA from NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Official says no-call was wrong to end Sixers' loss; Oubre apologizes for reaction 

3 observations after Sixers lose dramatic, controversial game in Harden's return

Saric last week led Croatia to an Olympic Qualifying Tournament title last weekend. He had 16 points and eight rebounds in Friday's semifinal win over Greece and 18 and 13 in the overtime victory over Italy in the championship game en route to being named tournament MVP.

"For those who haven't seen him play, there will be a real excitement of how versatile he is," Brown said. "There is a toughness that the city of Philadelphia is just going to fall in love with. He's a bull-in-a-china-shop type player. He can rebound, lead a break, he can hit threes — that's the thing I think I'm most excited about watching the growth of his game. He just comes with a real versatility and skill package at 6-foot-10, similar to Ben in some ways."

Speaking of Ben Simmons, he may be even more versatile than Saric. So much so that he may not just be a point forward, as he predicted he'd be during the draft. 

"It's a question I get asked the most," Brown said when asked about Simmons' position. "I feel that he can play a point guard. I've had the privilege and luxury of knowing his family since he was born, and I coached his father in the late '80s, and when I speak to his junior coaches, all of them to a man say how we could always come back to the ball. 

"Even at 9 years old, 8 years old, 11 years old — he wants the ball. So there are times in my sort of ambitious thinking, you could just give him the ball and try him as a point guard. He historically has played a four-man, so we can look at him there. At this stage I'm not sure where to anoint him, but he can play."

Copyright CSNPhily
Contact Us