Goran Dragic Traded to Miami Heat in Three-Team Trade
The Miami Heat acquired Goran Dragic in a trade with the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.
Continue for updates.
Heat Trade for Dragic
Thursday, Feb. 19
Dragic is heading to the Miami Heat, confirms the team's website:
"Miami HEAT President Pat Riley announced today that they have acquired brothers Goran Dragic and Zoran Dragic from the Phoenix Suns in part of a three-team trade involving the New Orleans Pelicans. Phoenix received Danny Granger and two future first round draft picks from Miami and John Salmons from New Orleans while the Pelicans received Norris Cole, Justin Hamilton and Shawne Williams from the HEAT.
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Dragic expressed his excitement on Twitter:
Dragic Won't Sign Long-Term Deal Outside of Wish List Teams
Thursday, Feb. 19
Broussard reported that Dragic only plans to sign a long-term deal in Miami, Los Angeles and New York, the three destinations he'd previously told the Suns where he'd prefer to be traded.
Dragic's insistence that he wouldn't sign with teams outside of those three has made one potential suitor hesitant to make a deal, according to Wojnarowski:
However, Wojnarowski noted that the Rockets remained interested in a potential deal:
"The Houston Rockets have been repeatedly warned that Dragic would not re-sign with them if traded there, but general manager Daryl Morey has stayed in touch with the Suns on potential deal possibilities, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Nevertheless, the Rockets are uncertain where they stand in the discussions.
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Wojnarowski also reported that the Knicks, Lakers, and Heat lacked the assets to complete a deal, but were happy to wait to chase Dragic when he hits free agency this summer.
On Feb. 18, Wojnarowski reported that the Suns are more interested with negotiating with the Kings, Celtics, Rockets, and others, rather than sending Dragic to his preferred destinations.
The Suns asking price, according to Wojnarowski, is a "young player with significant potential and a first-round draft pick or two first-round picks". Wojnarowski also noted that the Suns are trying to attach Dragic's brother Zoran to trade packages.
The Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and New York Kincks are three franchises on Dragic's list of teams he would accept a trade to, according to Wojnarowski. On Feb. 13. he mentioned the Pacers as a possibility as well.
Dragic Comments on Trade Demands, Suns Front Office
Wednesday, Feb. 18
Paul Coro of AZ Central Sports passed along comments from Dragic, who discussed his request for a trade, telling reporters "I don't feel comfortable with the situation." Dragic also told reporters he "didn't trust" the front office, according to Coro.
AZ Central Sports later shared video of the comments:
Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders weighed in on teams that could make a strong push for Dragic:
Team Stream Now Lists Potential Trade Partners, Picks Best Destination for Dragic
Wednesday, Feb. 18
Kennedy spoke to Adam Lefkoe of Bleacher Report about the teams interested in acquiring Dragic:
Howard Beck of Bleacher Report weighed in on the best possible landing spot for Dragic before the trade deadline:
Celtics Outside Contenders to Land Dragic
Wednesday, Feb. 18
ESPN's Marc Stein reported that the Boston Celtics have emerged as outside contenders to land Dragic before the trade deadline.
On Feb. 17, Shams Charania of RealGM.com reported that the Phoenix Suns appear poised to trade Tragic:
Sam Amick of USA Today reported that Dragic's agent told management the guard has no plans of re-signing with the team this summer.
Stein reported on the prospects of a trade going down:
However, Wojnarowski also noted that the Suns could make the risky decision to keep Dragic and trade Isaiah Thomas instead.
ESPN's Marc Stein noted that while the Rockets may not be a preferred destination, the team isn't ready to bow out yet. The Kings aren't considered a preferred team either at this point, but Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports also noted that the Kings want Dragic "bad and are prepared to offer Jason Thompson and Nik Stauskas in order to clear cap space for a max deal in the offseason.
Previously on Tuesday, Wojnarowski revealed the team still has hopes of re-signing Dragic, and that Phoenix would want at least a player with All-Star potential and a draft choice to even consider a trade.
On Feb. 16, Beck reported that the Suns "were active on the phones this weekend. The sense is they are ready to deal Dragic, rather than risk losing him to free agency."
Beck also weighed in on Dragic's future, predicting the star will be leaving Phoenix:
Rockets, Lakers Interested
Friday, Feb. 13
Marc Stein of ESPN reports the Houston Rockets, who Dragic previously played for between stints with the Suns, are once again interested. They already had him among their chief free-agent targets for the offseason:
"Sources said that the Rockets, who let Dragic go in free agency in the summer of 2012 but have him high on their list of free-agent targets this coming summer, are prominent among the teams hoping to engage the Suns in serious discussions about Dragic before the league's annual trade buzzer next week.
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The report also notes the Los Angeles Lakers have a similar plan of attack. They would chase him on the open market but want to acquire him before that, if possible:
"The Los Angeles Lakers, who have also coveted Dragic for some time, are likewise presumed to be intent on testing the Suns' resolve when it comes to their Slovenian point guard, since sources say L.A. plans to chase Dragic with an expected max four-year contract offer this summer valued at an estimated $80 million.
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Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times in Racine, Wisconsin, previously noted the price tag is a first-round pick:
Dragic is averaging 16.2 points and 4.1 assists through 52 games for the Suns this season. He would represent an upgrade over Patrick Beverley for Houston, which is one of several contenders in the Western Conference.
He told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle back in January, before the trade rumors began heating up, that he doesn't have any specific preferences with free agency looming.
"Every team in the NBA is an option to me, because it is a privilege to play for any team in the NBA," Dragic said. "When the time comes I'm going to sit down with my family and my agent and try to make the best decision for myself."
As for the Lakers, a trade would only make sense if they could to lock him into a contract extension. They aren't going anywhere this season. In fact, it's better for the big picture if they keep losing in order to improve their chances in the draft lottery.
Dragic is a reliable veteran capable of running an offense effectively. Whether the Rockets, Lakers or any other team will pay the reported first-round asking price for an impending free agent is the main question leading up to the deadline.
