Another international draft prospect is causing a bit of a stir with the 2014 NBA draft right around the corner.
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According to David Pick of Eurobasket.com, Croatian Dario Saric only wants to be drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers or Boston Celtics:
Dario Saric, I'm told, has let it be known he plans to go to NBA next season if drafted by Celtics or Lakers.
— David Pick (@IAmDPick) May 29, 2014
Saric may not be a top tier prospect like Andrew Wiggins, Joel Embiid or Jabari Parker, but the Croatian has been mentioned as potential target for the Lakers heading into the draft. The team appears to be open to all possibilities and Saric might be a player the Lakers brass roll the dice on come draft day.
Over the past few months, Dante Exum has been the one player rumored to be intent on being drafted by the Lakers. Exum had been mentioned frequently as a candidate to be taken by the Lakers since being dubbed a potential high draft choice, but at this point in time, all indications point to the combo guard being taken somewhere in the top four.
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With Saric letting his preferences be known, the Lakers may take a hard look at the Croatian before making a decision on which direction they’ll go in the draft. With talk of Kevin Love being on the trading block and teams seemingly willing to wheel and deal on June 26, anything can happen with the Lakers potentially trading the pick for a player like Love or additional picks.
Saric could be the typical stretch-four in the NBA that every team in the league seems to cherish these days. Ironically enough, Saric might have been perfect for Mike D’Antoni’s system, but even with a new head coach, he’s still an attractive option for Los Angeles with the seventh overall pick.
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