Veteran point guard Goran Dragic finally got his wish at the NBA trade deadline, as the Toronto Raptors traded him to the San Antonio Spurs. He wasn’t with the Spurs very long, as the two sides worked on a buyout almost immediately after he was acquired.
After clearing waivers on Thursday, Dragic is now eligible to sign with any team in the NBA except the Raptors. This is what he had been hoping for ever since the Miami Heat traded him to Toronto as part of the Kyle Lowry sign-and-trade deal last offseason.
He will certainly not be lacking for suitors. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets will pursue him.
While not listed, the Miami Heat are another team to watch as they have a great relationship with Dragic despite trading him to the Raptors. Dragic was also working out in Miami, as photos and video of him and the rehabbing Victor Oladipo surfaced.
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All of those teams mentioned present positives for Goran Dragic to land with, but the Brooklyn Nets could be the ideal landing spot for him. If he is looking to not only chase a ring but get significant playing time, there isn’t a better landing spot.
Brooklyn could have a rotation spot for Dragic from Day 1. With Kyrie Irving still only a part-time player because of his vaccination status, there is a chance that Dragic could work himself into the starting lineup for games at Barclays Center if Steve Nash wants to leave Patty Mills with the second unit.
Dragic is another good playmaker, which will allow players such as Mills and Cam Thomas, who have been helping out to run the offense, to focus more on what they do best; score the basketball. Seth Curry has also been the lead facilitator at times since being acquired in the James Harden trade.
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If the Brooklyn Nets are going to add anyone on the buyout market, it should be a point guard. Mills is being relied upon heavily and will be even more so with James Harden no longer around to run the show at point guard when Irving cannot play. The Nets would have to clear a roster spot, with Jevon Carter being one possible cut candidate.
Dragic isn’t the defender that Carter is, but is likely someone Nash would feel a lot more comfortable with giving rotation minutes to in the postseason. Dragic has battled injuries the last few seasons but has still produced when on the court.
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In 50 games last season, Goran Dragic averaged 13.4 points, 4.4 assists and 3.4 rebounds in 26.7 minutes per game. He is also a solid 3-point shooter, knocking down 36.4 percent of his attempts in his career.
