AFP/New York
There may be a chance that Dario SariC (pictured) wears a 76ers uniform sooner than expected.
The Sixers are negotiating with Anadolu Efes of the Turkish Basketball League to bring the forward to the NBA next season, according to Eurobasket.com.
The Sixers acquired Saric’s rights last year in the NBA draft. They traded their first-round pick, Elfrid Payton (10th overall), to the Orlando Magic for Saric, who was selected 12th, plus a 2017 top-11 protected pick and a 2015 second-rounder. Payton made the NBA’s all-rookie team this season.
When the Sixers acquired Saric, it appeared that the 6-foot-10, 230-pounder would have to play at least two seasons in Turkey before joining the NBA team.
He signed a three-year contract to play for Efes days before he was drafted by the Magic. The Croatian forward has a player option for the third season.
Saric, 21, would have to have his contract bought out for him to leave after one season.
According to reports, the Turkish team could demand about $2 million to release Saric from his contract this summer. However, the Sixers would be able to pay only $625,000 toward a buyout this summer under the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement.
The Sixers were not available for comment Thursday.
Media swarm Akron hospital to see birthplace of James, Curry
An Akron hospital is making a name for itself internationally as the birthplace of basketball’s biggest stars.
Media from across the globe are descending on Summa Akron City Hospital this week to show where the Cavaliers’ LeBron James and the Warriors’ Stephen Curry were born just 39 months apart.
Since news spread that the NBA MVPs entered the world at the same downtown Akron hospital, City has been inundated with media requests during the NBA Finals.
ESPN, NBA Inside Stuff, the San Jose Mercury News and media outlets from as far away as Italy and Brazil have shared the unlikely story, hospital spokesman Jim Gosky said. He estimates the hospital has hosted or talked to more than two dozen media.
“We cannot buy this kind of advertising,” Gosky said. “It does wonders for the OB program, the maternity unit and the pride of the employees. This is great exposure for a great program.”
Birth records show LeBron Raymone James was born at Akron City Hospital on Dec. 30, 1984. Wardell Stephen “Steph” Curry arrived March 14, 1988, during his family’s brief stay in Akron while his dad, Dell Curry, spent the 1987-88 season with the Cavs.
“Almost 40 years ago, we had the Miracle of Richfield,” Gosky said. “Now we have the miracle of both these MVPs being born here.”