Goran Dragic Trade Rumors: Latest News, Speculation Surrounding Heat Star

Goran Dragic has operated as the Miami Heat starting point guard since he was acquired at the 2015 trade deadline, but the team reportedly had preliminary discussions regarding a trade that would send him to the Sacramento Kings. 

Continue for updates. 

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Heat Not Actively Looking to Deal Dragic

Friday, Oct. 21

According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, the Heat are not engaged in serious discussions with opposing clubs regarding Dragic.

However, Stein noted Dragic's name shouldn't be removed from the trade block entirely: 

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Around the league, though, there's a growing sense that Dragic is a name to keep tabs on for those of you (and, yes, we mean everyone) who enjoy the sport unto itself known as NBA Wheeling & Dealing, since Miami is a team rival executives are watching closely.

Perhaps it's just wishful thinking ‎on the part of clubs who'd love to pilfer a front-line floor leader, but I've heard this warning more than once this month: Don't be surprised if the Heat decide to make Dragic availableif they get off to a slow start with a roster that suddenly no longer features Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh.

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With Dragic on a team-controlled deal that will appreciate under the rising salary cap, Dragic should continue to serve as one of the league's more compelling trade chips. 

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Kings, Heat Hold Exploratory Talks 

Tuesday, Oct. 18

According to Basketball Insiders' Michael Scotto, the Heat and Kings discussed a trade that would send Dragic to Sacramento in exchange for Rudy Gay and Darren Collison. 

However, Scotto cautioned that both teams "are kicking the tires on the potential trade," and no deal is imminent. 

ESPN.com's Zach Lowe reported on similar trade talks on Oct. 12: "The Heat and Kings have had some vague trade talks since July—not necessarily involving Dragic, sources say—and given the Kings' shaky point guard situation, it's tempting to build deals sending Dragic to Sacramento."

Whether it's for Dragic or not, the Kings should be motivated to trade Gay. 

The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski previously reported in September that Gay will opt out of the final year of his contract and become a free agent in the summer of 2017, which means Sacramento needs to find a trade partner if it wants to extract any long-term value before he hits the open market. 

"Sacramento has to trade Gay," an Eastern Conference executive told Scotto. "He’s already informed them he doesn’t like it there. They can’t let him walk for nothing."

Dragic, on the other hand, has three guaranteed years and $51 million remaining on his deal and would represent an immediate upgrade at point guard for a Kings team that is in dire need of backcourt playmakers to complement DeMarcus Cousins. 

Financially, trading Dragic would also allow the Heat to open up cap space to chase a superstar or two next summer, as Scotto noted: 

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By potentially shedding Dragic’s $17 million salary for next season, along with Bosh’s $25.3 million salary, Miami would clear a total of $42.3 million in cap space and have room to sign multiple free agents to max contracts this offseason.

Pat Riley has a proven track record of landing elite talent on the free agent market with salary cap space and South Beach at his disposal.

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A swap that includes Gay and Dragic as the main pieces is compelling for both sides, but considering Dragic is under contract through the 2018-19 season, with a player option for the following campaign, the Heat and Kings could wait to intensify talks until the trade deadline rolls around.