Anadolu Efes has strengthened its frontcourt with a familiar face, announcing the signing of Dario Saric on a 2+1 contract on Tuesday, June 16. The move marks Saric’s return to Istanbul nearly a decade after he last played for the club.
The 32-year-old forward began his European career with Efes in 2014-15 and 2015-16 before moving to the NBA, where he spent nine seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings.
Saric brings extensive high-level experience to an Efes roster undergoing significant changes. The club recently announced the departures of Saben Lee, who signed with Zalgiris Kaunas, Nick Weiler-Babb, who is expected to join ASVEL, as well as Cole Swider and Rolands Smits.
During his first stint with Efes, Saric established himself as one of Europe’s most talented young forwards. In 55 career EuroLeague games, he averaged 10.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting 45.7% from the field and 35.0% from three-point range.
His strongest EuroLeague season came in 2015-16, when he averaged 11.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists over 24 games, posting a 13.5 PIR. The Croatian forward also shot 40.3% from three-point range that season.
Saric later became a regular NBA contributor. He averaged 10.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists across 498 NBA games, including a career-best 14.6 points per game during the 2017-18 season with Philadelphia. He also finished second in Rookie of the Year voting in 2017.
Although his NBA role declined in recent seasons, Saric remains a versatile big man capable of spacing the floor, facilitating from the frontcourt and creating mismatches. He shot 36.0% from three-point range over his NBA career and has consistently been one of the better passing forwards of his generation.
Efes also confirmed the return of Jordan Loyd on a 1+1 deal. Loyd was one of the team’s most reliable players during the 2025-26 EuroLeague campaign, averaging 11.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 34 games.
The signings come after a difficult EuroLeague season for Efes, which finished 19th with a 12-26 record. The club struggled offensively, scoring 78.7 points per game, but still maintained a strong core around Shane Larkin and Loyd.
Saric’s arrival gives Efes a proven frontcourt option as the club attempts to rebuild after missing the playoffs and prepare for a more competitive 2026-27 campaign. His familiarity with the organization and experience in both the EuroLeague and NBA make him one of the centerpiece additions of the offseason.
