Dario Saric Signs With the Warriors: Why He’s a Perfect Fit

Image credit: Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images

According to ESPN’s NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Golden State Warriors signed veteran big man Dario Saric to a one-year deal. The contract is a veteran’s minimum worth roughly $2.71 million. Saric was originally drafted 12th overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2014 NBA draft and was then traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. He didn’t make his NBA debut until the 2017 season, but he quickly became a valuable stretch forward next to Joel Embiid. After getting dealt to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Jimmy Butler, Saric was traded again, this time to the Phoenix Suns in the 2019 offseason. He then resigned with Phoenix on a three-year, $27 million contract in the 2020 offseason. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL in the 2021 NBA Finals and missed the entire 2022 season. However, playing in 57 games with the Phoenix Suns and OKC Thunder this past season, Saric averaged 6.4 points per game (PPG), 3.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while shooting 39.1 percent from the three-point line. Saric proved to still be a reliable stretch five coming off his ACL injury, so he should be a perfect fit for the Warriors next season.

Saric provides some quality depth at the forward and center positions for the Warriors. He’s a high IQ player that can do a bit of everything while most notably being an excellent floor spacer at the five spots. Saric’s three-point shooting and size make him an extremely versatile, multi-positional player that will fill an important role in the Warriors’ quest for a fifth championship in nine years. This signing gives the Warriors two different big men to backup current starting center Kevon Looney after they already drafted Trayce Jackson-Davis during last month’s draft. Saric is expected to have a prominent role as a backup five in the Warriors’ small ball system, and his chemistry with Chris Paul should carry over nicely from their nearly three seasons together in Phoenix.