Will the Dallas Mavericks select Dario Saric with the 13th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft?

The Dallas Mavericks have the 13th pick in the upcoming 2013 NBA Draft. They will not be able to address all of the holes in the lineup with one pick, but they may be able to take a step towards the future by drafting a Dirk-type player, Dario Saric.

When the Mavs decided to trade Robert Traylor for the 9th pick in the 1998 NBA Draft for a 20-year old German player named Dirk Nowitzki, fans had no idea who he was. Nobody outside of the NBA inner circle saw how Dirk performed playing in the Euro-League or against stars like Charles Barkley at the Nike Hoop Summit in 1998. Dallas took a chance on a 7-foot kid from overseas that payed off for 14-years, including a league MVP and Championship.

Many draft experts have Mark Cuban and Donnie Nelson looking overseas again for talent with a big upside. Dario Saric, 6’10 and 220lbs, of Croatia has a game similar to a young Dirk. He is good shooter, handles and passes like a point guard, and a tremendous work ethic.

Some knocks on Saric have been his inconsistency at times shooting, love for the nightlife, and defense.

See for yourself: