Former Top-15 Pick Signs to the Nuggets

After winning the 2022 NBA Finals, many believed the Golden State Warriors dynasty would be over. A year later, the Warriors were defeated in the Western Conference Semifinals against the Los Angeles Lakers. This past season, Golden State clinched the final Play-In Tournament spot, and in an elimination game against the Kings in Sacramento, the Warriors fell apart collapsing in a 118-94 loss. Although they did not have the season they wanted, Golden State pulled out 46 wins. One of the main contributors to the Warriors’ success off the bench was forward/center Dario Šarić, who became a free agent at the end of the season. It was announced Šarić, a former top-15 pick, has signed a two-year, $10.6 million deal with the Denver Nuggets.  

Šarić was selected by the Orlando Magic as the 14th overall pick during the 2014 NBA Draft. After the draft, the forward/center stated he would be playing in Europe for at least another year before promising an NBA debut. During the 2016 offseason, Šarić signed with the Philadelphia 76ers after playing in both Croatia and Turkey. He spent two and a half seasons in Philly before being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Šarić was traded during the 2019 NBA Draft to the Phoenix Suns. The former top-15 pick spent two and a half seasons in Phoenix before being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. After fulfilling his contract, the 30-year-old forward signed with the Golden State Warriors. 

This past season, Šarić played in 64 games, nine of which he started. In 17 minutes a game, the former top-15 pick averaged about eight points, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal. On November 16th, he scored a season-high of 21 points during a 104-101 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Šarić knows with the Nuggets, he’ll have to keep providing similar offensive skills if he is to succeed.