Dario Saric has seemingly concluded his NBA journey, making his return to Europe highly anticipated.

Dario Saric was selected as the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. However, he made his NBA debut two years later as a player for the Philadelphia 76ers.

During his three-year stint with the 76ers, as well as with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Phoenix Suns (only in his first season), Saric delivered outstanding performances. He had the trust of the Suns’ management, but his production steadily declined, leading to a trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2022-23 season.

His path later took him through the Golden State Warriors to the Denver Nuggets, where he appeared in just 15 games. With averages of 3.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, this was the worst statistical season of the Croatian’s NBA career, making it clear that securing a roster spot would be challenging.

At 30 years old, Saric is still in his prime and capable of making a significant impact at the EuroLeague level. It’s worth noting that he originally left for the NBA from EuroLeague, where he had a successful two-season run with Anadolu Efes.

In recent days, reports surfaced that Saric turned down Real Madrid to sign with Dubai. However, while it is true that he did not reach an agreement with Real Madrid, he has also not finalized a deal with Dubai.

The ABA League debutant is certainly keen on signing Saric, as are several other clubs. However, as of now, there is neither an agreement nor a formal offer, let alone a signed contract—according to Tportal, later confirmed by Basketball Sphere.

Basketball Sphere currently reports that the frontrunners for Saric’s signature among EuroLeague teams are Panathinaikos, Anadolu Efes, and Fenerbahce.

Dubai is also closely monitoring the situation, having already demonstrated, through the signing of Davis Bertans, that it can be a suitable destination for players whose NBA careers are on the decline.

Spanish clubs are not in the race at this moment, as Dario Saric does not fit their financial projections for the upcoming season.

Anadolu Efes is a familiar place for the Croatian forward, and negotiations are expected to continue until the very end. Meanwhile, Ergin Ataman knows exactly what Dario Saric brings to a team and is expected to keep pushing for his arrival in Athens. Ataman first witnessed Saric’s talent while coaching Galatasaray, and there is no doubt that he later heard only positive remarks about the Nuggets player from his colleagues at Anadolu Efes.

Fenerbahce, the third EuroLeague team in contention, has significant issues with its frontcourt and is eager to address them early in the transfer window.

Dubai’s future in European competitions for next season remains unclear. The club is currently weighing its options between EuroLeague and the European NBA-style league, but this is not the primary factor in Saric’s case. More crucial are the working conditions and development opportunities the club offers its players.

As previously mentioned, this season has already demonstrated how certain players have managed to bounce back from underwhelming years, improving their individual stats while contributing to Dubai’s solid debut in the ABA League.

Of course, as time goes on, more European clubs are expected to enter the race for Saric’s signature.

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