Dario Saric 'open-minded' about role with Thunder after trade from Suns

Dario Saric, who turns 29 in April, isn’t sure how he feels about suddenly being the Thunder’s oldest player.

“I need to do a haircut and a shave,” said Saric, whose beard and ponytail give shades of Steven Adams.

The Thunder acquired Saric and a 2029 second-round pick from the Suns at the trade deadline in a deal that sent Darius Bazley to Phoenix. After draining 3-pointers at Thunder shootaround Monday, Saric met with reporters for the first time since being traded last Thursday.

Saric, pronounced SHAH-rich, said he was taking an afternoon nap before he awoke to the news.

“You’re always surprised,” Saric said. “That’s kind of how things go. At the end of the day, happy to be here. Happy to be part of this organization, a part of this group of young, talented guys who have a lot of years in front of them to play basketball.”

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Saric is leaving a Suns team led by 37-year-old Chris Paul and 26-year-old Devin Booker. And for a few hours, Saric was teammates with 34-year-old Kevin Durant — whose trade from Brooklyn to Phoenix defined the deadline.

The Thunder’s core consists of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who at 24 is the oldest among Lu Dort (23), Jalen Williams (21), Josh Giddey (20) and Chet Holmgren (20).

During Saric’s four seasons in Phoenix he played for head coach Monty Williams, a former Thunder assistant, and Suns assistants Mark Bryant and Darko Rajakovic — also former Thunder assistants. Rajakovic now works for Memphis.

“They tell me amazing things (about the Thunder),” Saric said. “High-level organization.”

Just 19 months ago, Saric was on the court for the Suns in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Bucks when Saric suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Saric missed the rest of that series and the entire 2021-22 season.

He returned this season, playing 37 games and making 12 starts for the Suns. He averaged 5.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game while shooting 39% from the 3-point line.

The 6-foot-10 Croatian forward is a career 36% 3-point shooter.

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The Thunder will be Saric’s fourth team (76ers, Timberwolves, Suns) since being drafted with the 12th pick in the 2014 draft.

Saric was asked if he has any expectations when it comes to his role and playing time in OKC.

“I think I will go with the flow,” he said. “We’re gonna figure out everything, how the games go. I’m here open-minded, and coach says he’s open-minded.”

Saric, making $9.2 million, is in the last year of his contract. According to ESPN’s Kevin Pelton, swapping Saric’s contract for Bazley’s ($4.3 million) saved the Suns about $19 million in luxury tax.

It’s unlikely Saric will be a long-term fixture with the Thunder, but that was also the case with Bazley, who was set to enter restricted free agency. Regardless, the Thunder netted another second-round pick by making the trade.

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Dario Saric open-minded about role with Thunder after trade from Suns