The Miami Heat will look to sign Goran Dragic to a max contract this summer after his trade from the Suns and they will have to battle with the LA Lakers to sign him, as the team plans on targeting him as well and this comes as Miami will be without Chris Bosh for the rest of the 2015 season after blood clots were found on his lungs.
Dragic was the top target at the trade deadline and the Heat got him after making a deal with two first round picks and that came as the Lakers and Knicks had interest. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Lakers still plan on making a run at Dragic in free agency and will offer him a max contract. The trade for Miami signals that they will go after Dragic hard to stay in South Beach, as they gave up a nice package to get him.
Dragic will be one of the top players on the market this summer along with Rajon Rondo and teams like the Lakers and Knicks are expected to chase him. Miami can offer Dragic the most money of any team, as they can offer a five year deal worth $100 million, while the Lakers can offer four and $80 million. Pro Basketball Talk reports that Dragic would be open to playing for the Lakers and Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News writes that sources have said he sees the team as a "perfect fit". The Rockets are also expected to be a target for Dragic.
Dragic wanted out of Phoenix because of the way the team was running their offense, as he did not get the chance to have his hands on the ball enough. Some have suggested he was being selfish, but the three guard system was not a great fit. Dragic won most improved player of the year last season, but his numbers were down across the board this year. Dragic now has the chance to take over as starting point guard and he comes in averaging 16.2 points and 4.1 assists this season. Last year Dragic was at 20 points and six assists and he likely will get his numbers up in Miami.
Miami is making a playoff run and they are looking to keep Dragic in South beach long term with a contract this summer. The Lakers will be a strong option, as they have the money and the exposure of Los Angeles as a draw for him. Dragic had Miami, LA and NY as the teams he wanted to get traded to and that could lead to him staying with the Heat.
Miami is making a run into the playoffs in the east, but losing Chris Bosh will put a dent in those efforts. According to ESPN.com, Bosh will be out for the season after developing blood clots on one of his lungs, which the team announced last weekend. Bosh will be out for the year, but his future diagnosis is good and he is expected to be back next season. Losing Bosh hurts Dragic's experience for the rest of this season in Miami, but they will be able to make a strong push to keep him in the summer.
