2. Miami Heat
Don’t fix what isn’t broken. Dragic played a necessary role coming off Miami’s bench for most of the 2019-20 regular season. Despite his decreased stature on the team, Dragic remained engaged and played a crucial part in Miami’s success.
Dragic captained Miami’s second unit and quickly became one of the best sixth men in the NBA. While he didn’t make the award’s final ballot, analysts can’t write Dragic off as just another backup. He could still serve as a starter on most teams, but the Heat built a reliable rotation by making him come off the bench.
The Heat also turned to Dragic in their time of need. With several young players struggling in the bubble, including Kendrick Nunn, Miami moved Dragic into the starting lineup for the playoffs. In Miami’s first game against the Indiana Pacers, Dragic led the team with four three-pointers and finished second with 24 points. He’s still one of the better offensive-minded point guards in the NBA.
Miami could become a hot destination for free agents over the next several years. The team has six players entering unrestricted free agency after this season, which frees up a lot of cap space. Based on the team’s long-term plans, a new deal for Dragic could be out of the question, or it could be a great way of keeping the bench strong.