Will Goran and Zoran Dragic Become the NBA's Next Brother Pairing?
Sibling harmony between brothers Goran and Zoran Dragic helped the Slovenian national team to a 5-2 showing at the FIBA World Cup, and there's a chance that magic could make it stateside with the Phoenix Suns.
The family-friendly franchise, which already employs twins Markieff and Marcus Morris, is one of three NBA teams that are fervently chasing the younger Dragic, sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein:
The 25-year-old Zoran inked a two-year contract extension with Spain's Unicaja Malaga in June, but the deal did not prohibit a leap to the big leagues, as Stein explained:
"Zoran Dragic's new contract in Spain with Unicaja Malaga allows for an escape to the NBA this season as long as the 25-year-old moves before the start of the new league season in Spain in October. Sources say that Malaga would also have to be paid a higher buyout fee were Dragic to jump to the NBA immediately compared to the 750,000 euros (nearly $1 million) that Malaga would be owed if he waits until the summer of 2015.
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While this isn't his first flirtation with the NBA—the 6'5" slasher played four summer league games for the Houston Rockets in 2012—his window could be as wide open as it's ever been.
He has a productive, efficient run through the World Cup largely to thank for that. He was Slovenia's second-highest scorer with 12.9 points in only 26 minutes per night. His stat sheet further was enhanced by a Dragic-y shooting slash of .500/.433/.692.
In terms of skill sets, there are some obvious differences between the two.
Zoran doesn't have the same level of versatility as Goran; the younger Dragic is more of a scoring guard as opposed to a guard who can score. Recent sniping aside, Zoran has also had trouble finding a consistent perimeter touch.
Poring over their numbers from last season, stretched out to a per-36-minute scale to account for differences in playing time, Goran had an edge in nearly every category. Of course, finishing behind an NBA All-Star snub is hardly a crushing blow for the potent, efficacious Zoran.
Even with those differences, though, the similarities are hard to miss.
Zoran's approach inside the lines should feel very familiar to Suns fans.
"Like Goran, he's left-handed and shows good speed and quickness, being very intense on both ends of the court," wrote DraftExpress' Nico Van den Bogaerd in a 2009 scouting report. "Defensively, he's very active in man to man, putting good pressure and attacking the passing lanes quite well."
Swift, tenacious, energetic and pesky? Sounds like a Dragic to me.
With all of the analytics available today, there is still no way to measure heart. And while it needs the requisite skills to have an impact, the two create a powerful blend when properly mixed.
Zoran, like his brother, plays with the proper passion to maximize his on-court impact. Just ask Dominican Republic's big man Jack Martinez:
Or New Orleans Pelicans' soaring superstar Anthony Davis:
"I'm just playing with my energy all the time, 100 percent every game," Zoran told Sam Meyerkopf of Euroleague Adventures. "I want to win every game, and this is my game. I try to raise other players' energy just to play like me and win the game."
Every team could use a jolt of energy, especially when it comes packaged with NBA-level talent. Zoran has both, so it's no surprise several teams are lined up for a potential bidding war.
It's impossible to predict how this auction will end, but it's easy to see why the Suns should play an active role in the process.
For one, bringing Zoran on board could improve Phoenix's chances at the negotiating table with Goran next summer. The reigning Most Improved Player award-winner will almost assuredly decline his $7.5 million player option for 2015-16 if his production stays anywhere near last season's level.
Given the increasing importance of the point guard position, it seems inevitable teams will throw major money his way next summer. The Suns could be one of those clubs, but they might be able to thin the field if they give his brother a roster spot.
As Goran told Stein, he is more than open to playing alongside his sibling in the NBA:
"It means a lot to play with him. We don't see each other so often. OK, on Skype, but it's not the same. Now it's a perfect situation for us to play together with the national team.
We can share the court and maybe do some damage [with the national team]. And hopefully someday we can play each other in the NBA.
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Assuming Eric Bledsoe's agonizingly long restricted free agency ends with a qualifying offer, the dynamic guard may seek greener pastures next offseason. The last thing the Suns can afford is to have the elder Dragic do the same.
Chasing the younger one feels like a logical move.
"This makes a lot of sense for the Suns," wrote NBC Sports' Kurt Helin, "mostly because of the unsettled nature of the Eric Bledsoe situation...and in keeping Goran Dragic a Sun."
Should a sign-and-trade candidate for Bledsoe emerge yet this offseason, the Suns would be even better equipped to withstand the loss. Zoran could be added to a deep perimeter rotation that already could include Goran, Isaiah Thomas, Gerald Green, P.J. Tucker, Archie Goodwin and rookies Tyler Ennis and T.J. Warren.
As an interesting aside, it would also give the Suns a chance to make NBA history. As of March 2013, only 10 sets of siblings had ever suited up for the same team, and never had multiple pairs worn the same jersey, according to the Elias Sports Bureau (via Stein).
That number climbed to 11 last season, after Chris Smith saw two minutes of action with the New York Knicks and his brother J.R.
| Marcus and Markieff Morris | Phoenix Suns | 2012-Present |
| Chris and J.R. Smith | New York Knicks | 2013-14 |
| Ben and Tyler Hansbrough | Indiana Pacers | 2012-13 |
| Dominique and Gerald Wilkins | Orlando Magic | 1998-99 |
| Brent and Mark Price | Washington Bullets | 1995-96 |
| Albert and Bernard King | Washington Bullets | 1991-92 |
| Caldwell and Charles Jones | Chicago Bulls | 1984-85 |
| Caldwell and Major Jones | Houston Rockets | 1983-84 |
| Dick and Tom Van Arsdale | Phoenix Suns | 1976-77 |
| Al and Dick McGuire | New York Knicks | 1953-54 |
| Don and Mac Otten | Tri-Cities Blackhawks | 1949-50 |
Could the Suns bring that total to 12? It isn't hard to find multiple incentives to do so, not the least of which is Zoran's own potential.
Between the Morrises and the Dragic clan, the Suns could be ushering in a new era in the desert—complete with its own nickname.
Phoenix: Basketball's City of Brotherly Love.
Unless otherwise noted, statistics used courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com and RealGM.com. Salary information obtained via ShamSports.com.
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