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Steve Kerr Reveals First Impressions of Dario Saric, Making Bold Promise on 29YO Warriors Star’s Future

Published 11/25/2023, 2:07 AM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

Upon adding Dario Saric, it was certain that Steve Kerr had charted a roadmap for the big man. In his reunion with Chris Paul, Saric was tasked with stretching the floor and enhancing offensive possibilities. Now, with a month elapsed in the NBA season, Saric rests with ample experience in the Warriors’ system; a flow that was on full display during their game against the San Antonio Spurs. Saric seemed like a long-time Warrior as they scorched efficiently from all over the court in their 118-112 victory.

Stephen Curry led the charge with 35 points, including 7 threes off 13 attempts. Joining the spotlight was Saric, delivering a 20-point performance; shooting 7-11 from the field and 4 of 7 from beyond the arc.

Steve Kerr opens up about expectations from Saric

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Discussing Saric’s reliable offense, Steve Kerr was questioned about his initial perception of Dario within the Golden State system. Kerr promptly recognized the unique play style that sets Saric apart from some of the traditional Golden State players, deeming him an ideal fit. Looking ahead, Kerr envisions Saric to be in a great spot to demand greater value for his buckets.


As one of the Golden State Warriors‘ recent acquisitions, Saric was thrilled to join a championship-caliber team. However, due to the restricted salary cap, the Warriors could only offer him a one-year contract worth $2,709,849; representing an 80% pay cut from his previous earnings.

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Saric had better offers on the table

Stepping on the NBA hardwood alongside Joel Embiid, Saric found himself caught in the Philadelphia 76ers’ desperate quest for a franchise-saving star. However, every struggle the big man faced resulted in criticism; focusing solely on what he couldn’t do rather than recognizing his strengths.

In an environment with the right approach, Saric could have emerged as one of the earliest and most effective stretch fives in the league; especially given his near 7-foot frame. Furthermore, his experience in Europe fostered an affinity for shooting and a high basketball IQ. Despite these attributes, the lack of time to showcase his abilities left Saric with minimal offers and diminished free-agency value.

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Interestingly, Saric had more lucrative offers than the one from the Warriors. However, the big man chose the Golden State, emphasizing that their playing style aligns with his strengths. Furthermore, given his recent years in the league, it is a perfect opportunity for him to prove himself to the league and teams that couldn’t fully utilize his capabilities.

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Written by:

Saahil Dhillan

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Saahil Dhillan is an NBA Writer at Essentially Sports. He has been writing articles and blogs for 5 years now, including those for a sports brand that manufactures knee braces, for a Red Bull athlete in 2019 and for a documentary of an Ultra Running Coach in 2021. There’s plenty Saahil can write about why he likes basketball, having followed the NBA for more than 10 years, but he is most keen on picking out various offense/defense strategies, on/off-court decisions, roster changes in crunch time and other underrated key elements that leave an impact on the scoreboard.
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Vishav