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Dario Saric tells FIBA reporter he's joining the 76ers this season

Will he or won’t he? It seems like 2014 draft pick Dario Saric can finally put that question to rest.

Will he or won't he? It seems like 2014 draft pick Dario Saric can finally put that question to rest.

After being named MVP in an Olympic Qualifier that earned Croatia a ticket to the Rio Olympics, the 22-year-old Croatian star told a FIBA reporter that he plans on joining the Sixers next season.

"After this tournament... I will meet with my manager and my parents, and I'll book the tickets to the United States to visit my teammates during the Summer League in Vegas," Saric said before being interrupted by a FIBA reporter.

"Yes or no?" the reporter pressed.

"Yes," Saric replied definitavely.

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This comes 11 days after Saric was quoted by a publication in Croatia on as saying he was finally ready to join the Sixers.

"Everything goes in that direction to achieve this decision," Saric said, according to a Google translation of the report. "I'm waiting to finish this tournament to once again sit down and make a deal and go to the signing of the contract in America."

Sixers coach Brett Brown said at that time he will wait to celebrate the arrival of the 2014 draft pick from Turkey until he actually shows up in Philadelphia.

"That is what he has been telling me for awhile now. He repetitively reminds me that his word is his bond. So yes, I believe that this is what he wants," Brown said. "Still, contractual buyouts have to be determined then executed. This is the remaining hurdle."

Saric would benefit more from a financial standpoint if he remained overseas for one more season playing for Anadolu Efes of the Turkish Basketball League. However, he would get playing time next season with the Sixers that might not be available if he waits another year.

Saric was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the 12th overall pick in 2014 and immediately traded to the Sixers. However, he signed a three-year contract with the Turkish team in the week leading up to the NBA draft. Saric can opt out of that contract and join the Sixers this offseason.

Saric would be tied to his rookie-scale deal if plays in the NBA next season. Utah Jazz forward Trey Lyles, who was selected 12th overall in 2015, will make $10.4 million during his four-year rookie contract. Saric will make a little more than that if he comes over this summer. He would be able to negotiate a deal for a much richer salary with the Sixers if he waited until the summer of 2017. A league source said he believes Saric could receive about $6 million a season if he waits until next year.

Saric's deadline to notify Efes of his choice is July 17, and leaving the team would require a buyout. The Sixers are only allowed to contribute $650,000 to his buyout.