Saric sidelined with undisclosed illness

MEMPHIS — Golden State Warriors forward Dario Saric is battling an undisclosed illness and did not accompany the team to Memphis on Thursday for the beginning of its fivegame trip, head coach Steve Kerr said.

Kerr said he hopes Saric will join the Warriors at some point on the trip, but he did not identify a specific game for which the 6-foot-10-inch big man might be available.

The Warriors played the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday and visit the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday and the Indiana Pacers on Thursday.

Starting nine of the 44 games in which he has played this season, Saric is averaging 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 48.1% from the field and 41.2% from 3-point range.

Kerr has been complimentary of Saric’s play and passing from the post, referring to him Tuesday after a 119-107 win over the Philadelphia 76ers — in which he had seven assists — as one of Golden State’s “best shot creators.”

Relegated to the bench upon the introduction of Golden State’s new starting lineup last Saturday, Saric averaged 3.5

points and 4.5 assists in 16.1 minutes in the past two games.

Saric’s absence creates the potential of more playing time for rookie big man Trayce Jackson-Davis and longtime starting center Kevon Looney, who was

also moved to the bench as Draymond Green assumed his role as Golden State’s starting big man.

Jackson-Davis adds a different dynamic to the rotation, providing pick-and-roll ballhandlers

with a reliable roller who can finish at or above the rim.

He’s averaging 6.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in 14.1 minutes per game.

Kerr said Looney, who is averaging 5.3 points and 6.8

boards while starting 36 of 44 games this season, has handled his transition to a reserve role “beautifully because he’s so professional and mature.”

Added Kerr, “It’s never easy for anybody to go from playing a lot, starting for years and then all of a sudden not being a big part of the rotation. He gets it, though. He understands what this is all about, and he’s handling it well.”

Conversely, Kerr indicated guard Moses Moody could return to the rotation on Monday for the Warriors’ game in Brooklyn against the Nets. Moody was cleared to practice this past week after straining his calf Jan. 10 during a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Guards Chris Paul (hand) and Gary Payton II (hamstring) remain out for Golden State.

Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Forward Dario Saric, who’s dealing with an illness, wasn’t with the Warriors when they began a five-game road trip with a matchup against the Grizzlies on Friday night.