Mavericks Rumors: Goran Dragic Contract to Be Explored in 2022 NBA Free Agency
June 17, 2022
The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly expected to consider signing veteran guard Goran Dragic in free agency this offseason.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Dallas will be "prioritizing its need for more wing help," and will also consider the possibility of bringing in Dragic, who plays both guard spots.
The 36-year-old Dragic is a 14-year NBA veteran who split last season between the Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets, primarily as a bench player.
Dragic is coming off one of the worst seasons of his career, as he was often a healthy scratch during his time with the Raptors and stepped away from the team for personal reasons before getting traded to Brooklyn in February.
All told, Dragic appeared in 21 games and averaged 7.5 points, 4.1 assists and 3.1 rebounds, while shooting 37.7 percent from the floor and 25.4 percent from beyond the arc, marking his worst output since the 2010-11 season.
By and large, Dragic has a strong resume, however, with career averages of 13.7 points, 4.8 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 1.2 three-pointers made and 1.0 steal per game across 888 contests with the Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, Raptors and Nets.
Dragic was named an All-Star for the only time in 2017-18 while with the Heat, and he was both a third-team All-NBA selection and the NBA Most Improved Player in 2013-14 with the Suns when he averaged a career-high 20.3 points to go with 5.9 assists per game.
Despite not having a second star to play alongside guard Luka Doncic, the Mavs made it to the Western Conference Finals last season before falling to the eventual NBA champion Golden State Warriors.
Dallas has already been hard at work trying to gear up for next season, agreeing to a trade for forward Christian Wood from the Rockets on Wednesday.
Dragic wouldn't be as big of an acquisition as Wood, but he would bring some much-needed depth.
Also, while he likely wouldn't produce at the same level, Dragic could replace some of what guard Jalen Brunson contributes if the Mavs are unable or unwilling to re-sign him in free agency.
Dragic is at a point in his career when chasing a championship may be the most attractive option for him, and playing alongside Doncic in Dallas would at least put him in the mix.