June 7, 2026, 7:00 a.m. ET
With the NBA draft right around the corner, now is the time to look at some past drafts and see what the Philadelphia 76ers have done in their history. The Sixers have selected some big-time players in the past who have become an important part of the fabric of the franchise’s history.
Earlier in the 2014 draft, the Sixers selected Joel Embiid with the third pick, but they also held the 10th pick. With that selection, they chose Elfrid Payton, who they flipped to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Dario Saric, who was chosen with the No. 12 pick.
Saric did not come to Philadelphia until the 2016-17 season, but he had a productive rookie year. He averaged 12.8 points and 6.3 rebounds along with 2.2 assists while shooting 41.1% from the floor. He, along with Embiid, was in the running for Rookie of the Year in 2017.
Saric played 172 games across three seasons in Philadelphia before he was sent to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the deal that brought Jimmy Butler to the City of Brotherly Love. Saric has since played for the Phoenix Suns, Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, and played five games for the Sacramento Kings in the 2025-26 season.
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