The Miami Heat are expected to keep Goran Dragic in free agency this summer, as teams like the LA Lakers, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets are expected to chase the free agent point guard with a max contract offer and this comes as players like Brook Lopez, Greg Monroe and DeMarre Carroll could be potential FA targets for Dwyane Wade in South Beach.
The Heat traded for Dragic earlier in the season and now he is expected to stay with Miami even if he hits the open market. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Dragic is "likely to stay with the Heat", as he has told the team ahead of free agency that they are his number one choice, Dragic's plan since last season was to hit the market as a free agent and while he likely will stay in Miami, Dragic wants to test the market and maximize his value this year.
Dragic came off of a most improved player award into last season and things did not exactly work out with the Suns after they signed Isaiah Thomas. Thomas and Dragic saw their numbers fall and the Suns ended up trading both players in favor of keeping Eric Bledsoe. Miami stepped up and traded for Dragic and that came as the Lakers and Knicks also were interested in him. Those two teams along with the Rockets are expected to chase Dragic, but as it stands now, he is likely to stay in Miami.
Miami gave up two first round picks for Dragic and the fact that he can get the longest and most expensive max contract from the team helps the cause as well. Dragic has the chance to opt out of his contract and all signs point to him doing that. Pro Basketball Talk reported near the end of the season that the Lakers were likely going to give Dragic a max contract offer, but the deal can only be for four years and around $80 million. Miami can offer a fifth and $100 million, pushing them ahead of anything LA or the Knicks can give.
Miami missed the playoffs this season after losing LeBron James in free agency and now they are hoping Dragic can be the catalyst for a rebound next year. The team has Hassan Whiteside after his breakout this season, while Dwyane Wade may have one or two more good years left in his legs. Chris Bosh is expected to return healthy after dealing with a major medical issue at the end of the season and that makes keeping Dragic a main priority.
The team could look at adding more in free agency along with Dragic and players like Brook Lopez and Greg Monroe could be targets. With Bosh dealing with his issues, the team could look at giving him some more support and this comes after Lopez was mentioned in trade rumors this season for Miami. Lopez is expected to hit the market for Brooklyn and there is a chance he could sign elsewhere this summer.
