The Phoenix Suns might have ended their drama regarding Eric Bledsoe, but the rumors are only just beginning now that they have inked yet another point guard to the roster for multiple years. The Suns now have the deepest backcourt in the league with five players at the position. However, not everyone can stay on the roster for the long-term as the attention now shifts to the expiring contract of Goran Dragic.
The point guard has the opportunity to become an unrestricted free agent next summer and he intends on taking it. Dragic has already announced his plans to opt out of his current deal with the Suns, but is hopeful to re-sign with the team immediately. Dragic has built a solid reputation over the past few years showing that he is a quality starting point guard that also have strong defensive skills and now he wants to get paid as such. Dragic is aware that his stock in the league is high and he is planning on taking advantage of it. The question is whether or not Phoenix is in play next summer.
The Suns have a lot of money tied into the point guard position. They just gave Bledsoe a deal worth five years and $70 million according to ESPN. They also signed Isaiah Thomas to a four-year, $27 million salary that goes through the 2018 season. The Suns also have newly drafted rookies in Tyler Ennis and Archie Goodwin. Suddenly, Dragic is expendable.
There was a lot of trade interest in Dragic during the summer, but Phoenix rejected every deal. The Suns were in the midst of attempting to get Bledsoe under a new contract and the uncertainty of his future forced Phoenix to hold on to the point guard for insurance. However, now they do not necessarily need him. So who could be in play for Dragic come the summer?
According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the Los Angeles Lakers will be a major player in the Dragic sweepstakes. The team will not be able to make a trade for him at the mid-season deadline, but once free agency begins, they will push a nice contract on the point guard. The Lakers will have some of the most salary cap space to work with as several players come off the books and they could easily offer the point guard a contract of his liking. Jeremy Lin and Steve Nash will be gone and Dragic would be the perfect option to step in.
The Houston Rockets will also look his way. The team intends on making a push for Rajon Rondo, but if that fails, Dragic is the best available. Right now, the point guard spot is likely the weakness of the Rockets. Pairing Dragic with Dwight Howard and James Harden would give Houston a solid scoring core.