The Miami Heat made a trade for Goran Dragic this season and the team is hoping to keep the point guard as a free agent this summer, as teams like the LA Lakers, NY Knicks and Houston Rockets will be chasing him in free agency and this comes as names like Brook Lopez, Greg Monroe and Reggie Jackson also could be potential targets for those teams.
Miami traded two first round picks for Dragic this season at the trade deadline and now they have the inside track at keeping him this summer. Dragic has not ruled out any teams for free agency, but Miami can offer him the biggest contract of any team and that could keep him in South Beach. According to Joe Goodman at the Miami Herald, Dragic is hoping that he can stay with the team, stating that he "likes" the organization and South beach.
Dragic was the top point guard target at the trade deadline and while the Lakers and Knicks had interest, the teams did not give up picks in a trade. Both teams likely felt it was not worth it, as Dragic is going to be a free agent and the teams can go after him without giving up any picks. According to the LA Times, the Lakers plan on offering Dragic a max contract, while the Knicks are looking to go after Dragic and Rondo on the market.
Pro Basketball Talk reported earlier in the season that the Lakers plan on offering a max contract to Dragic, which would be around four years and $80 million. The Heat can offer $100 million over five years and that gives them the inside edge in signing him back. The team has Chris Bosh on a big deal and they also have to sign back Hassan Whiteside after next year, but the Heat should be able to keep Dragic if he wants to stay.
Dragic's numbers overall are down from last season, but part of that was the way the Suns ran their offense this season. Miami also may target other free agents, including names like Brook Lopez, Greg Monroe and Reggie Jackson, who was a trade target during the season. Dragic is averaging 16 points and four assists per game this season, but his numbers have been up since he has come to Miami.
Lopez is expected to hit the market, as Pro Basketball Talk reports that he will use his option to opt out this summer. The Nets will try and keep him, but there is a good chance he could leave. The Lakers, Knicks and Rockets all have a need for a point guard and that could lead the teams to chase Dragic this summer.