One of the most popular players on the NBA buyout market this year was point guard Goran Dragic. Dragic reached the buyout market after being traded by the Toronto Raptors to the San Antonio Spurs ahead of the deadline. After the trade was finalized, buyout talks began.
Dragic cleared waivers last week, meaning he could sign with any team of his choice. He has made his choice according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, as Dragic will be heading to the Brooklyn Nets.
Because the Brooklyn Nets didn’t have an open roster spot, they had to create one. Point guard Jevon Carter was waived in a corresponding move.
The Nets ultimately beat out several contenders that were also in the market for Goran Dragic. He had been connected to the Dallas Mavericks for months, going back to the summer when he was included as part of the Kyle Lowry to Miami Heat sign-and-trade. The Milwaukee Bucks were another team linked to him, as well as the Los Angeles Lakers.
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All of those teams will have to look elsewhere for the point guard help they are seeking. D.J. Augustin is someone to keep an eye on, but there could be more players made available in the coming weeks. Eric Bledsoe could be bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers. While unlikely, teams are hopeful that John Wall wriggles free from the Houston Rockets.
This is a pretty significant signing for the Brooklyn Nets, who need help now to make sure they don’t continue slipping down the standings. They are without Kevin Durant, who is recovering from an MCL sprain, and Ben Simmons is still working his way back. Kyrie Irving remains a part-time player because of his vaccination status and is not allowed to play in home games at the Barclays Center.
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That left Patty Mills, Cam Thomas, and Seth Curry to fill the void at point guard during home games in the meantime. Goran Dragic will step right into a prominent role in the rotation once he is ready as the best playmaker on the bunch without Irving and Simmons in the lineup.
Dragic’s presence will allow all of those three guys to focus on what they do best; shooting and scoring the ball. There is a chance that Dragic could work himself into the starting lineup when Irving isn’t playing. At the very least, he will be a prominent part of the team’s second unit.
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Last season in 50 games with the Miami Heat, Goran Dragic averaged 13.4 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.4 rebounds in 26.7 minutes per game. He brings plenty of playoff experience to the table as well, playing in 56 postseason games with 37 starts, averaging 27.4 minutes per game.
