Entering the 2014-15 NBA season, Goran Dragic was listed as the best point guard potentially available. The Phoenix Suns had a crowded back court and Dragic was too talented to sit on the bench. Several teams targeted him at the trade deadline with the Miami Heat winning out in the end. However, the trade does not cancel out the fact that Dragic still has an expiring contract to his name and growing interest in his skills. Will the Miami Heat retain him for the long run?
According to the Palm Beach Post, Dragic wants to re-sign with the Heat and the feeling is mutual. Dragic made comments prior to the season ending that while he likes Miami, he also wants to get his money as rumors swirled the point guard would only accept a max deal. The Heat can offer him the best contract at five years and $110 million while other teams can only give four years and $85 million. Dragic likes the idea of staying in South Beach.
"As long as I'm in a happy environment and a healthy organization, that's the most important thing," Dragic said, vi the Palm Beach Post. "The next three, four, five years - I want to spend it on this kind of team, like the Miami Heat. They have great players, great coaching staff and great training staff."
Team president Pat Riley made it clear that the intention was to keep Dragic around no matter what the cost. Dragic put up 16.6 points and 5.3 assists per game last year while leading all guards shooting 50.1 percent. There will be other teams that hope Dragic is willing to accept a smaller contract and join another team. The New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets have all been seen as potential landing spots for Dragic should he decide to depart South Beach.
If the point guard returns to the team, the Heat could be pretty strong next season. The team will have Luol Deng entering his second year. Hassan Whiteside proved he is an improving threat. The issue is contract space for other players. Dwyane Wade has a player option for this upcoming season which he will exercise and then command another strong contract for his final years in the league. That deal paired with the max contract to Dragic and the one already assigned to Chris Bosh puts a strain on a the potential 2016 free agency run the Heat had been planning.
According to the Miami Herald, the Heat were looking to chase Al Horford and Kevin Durant in 2016. Those contracts could make that effort very tough for the team. However, keeping those players around means the Heat could be contenders next year.
