Power Forward
Dario Saric
It is unfortunate that I have to specifically mention the Phoenix Suns’ 3-point shooting as often as I have, but the truth of the matter is: had they even been moderately average last season then they and the fanbase wouldn’t at all be worried about it now – and James Jones wouldn’t have drafted two players who were exceptional 3-point shooters in college.
That said, while both Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss were supposed to have specific roles with the Suns after drafting (Dragan was supposed to be a Kristaps Porzingis-type while Chriss was going to be another Amar’e Stoudemire).
Unfortunately, neither could hit the broadside of a barn (sooooo cliche – but true) thus the franchise has had to move in another direction less than four years into their young careers.
That said, on draft night, incomes Dario Saric, acquired in the trade of the (sorely under-valuable) sixth overall pick, along with the 11th pick which was used to take Cam Johnson and suddenly the position of power forward which had been as empty a hole as point guard, has someone exciting to look forward to watching.
Saric is a very good outside shooter who aside from a rough 13 games with Philadelphia, has averaged 37.3% from beyond the arc in the last two seasons.
While I haven’t heard many comparisons to this player, Saric reminds me a lot of Channing Frye, a a sniper on offense and gutsy performer on defense, not a star, but a solid contributor on both sides of the floor that will give the opposition fits game in and game out.
Phoenix doesn’t have another power forward at the moment (I suppose there is a chance that Jones could re-sign Bender to a one-year minimum contract to see if Monty Williams might be able to figure him out), so we’ll just have to wait and see who Phoenix is able to dig up in free agency come July.