The plot thickens with the NBA trade deadline drawing near in the Goran Dragic sweepstakes. Conflicting have surfaced over the past two weeks about Dragic’s immediate future, but now it appears the Slovenian has no intention of staying with the Phoenix Suns beyond this season.
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According to Sam Amick of USA Today, Dragic will not re-sign with the team after opting out of his contract this summer:
According to two people with knowledge of the situation, the representatives for the Suns point guard told team officials in a Tuesday meeting that he has no plans to re-sign in Phoenix this summer as a free agent.
All the speculation surrounding Dragic had him potentially being dealt before the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 19. Now it may be a foregone conclusion, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein:
ESPN sources say Suns trading Dragic by Thursday's 3 p.m. trade deadline is now regarded as the likely scenario
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 18, 2015
The crowded backcourt in Phoenix has led Dragic to consider his future beyond this season and he’s ready to move on. The Suns currently have Isaiah Thomas and Eric Bledsoe under contract for the next three to four years.
Dragic has the opportunity to become a free agent this summer by opting out of his deal with the team which would pay him $7.5 million next season. The Los Angeles Lakers have been named as one of Dragic’s preferred destinations, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports:
Bill Duffy, agent for Dragic, offered a list of teams that they would prefer to be traded, including the Lakers, league source tells Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) February 18, 2015
The Lakers have been rumored to be interested in Dragic all year long. Dragic would provide a much needed upgrade at the point guard position, but would potentially come at the high price of a four-year max deal worth $80 million.
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