Entering the 2014 NBA season, several teams were preparing to pursue Rajon Rondo either via trade or free agency. The Boston Celtics had been coy about their intentions with the point guard just like he had been coy about his future with the franchise. Several teams knew they would have the salary cap space to sign Rondo in the summer if he made it there. However, the Celtics sent Rondo to the Dallas Mavericks leaving plenty of teams looks towards Plan B for the point guard spot.
The Dallas Mavericks, Rajon Rondo deal leave a lot of teams scratching their heads about what to do next. While it appears that Rondo plans to re-sign with Dallas in free agency, Goran Dragic now becomes the point guard of pursuit either via trade or free agency. Dragic is fighting for time in a crowded back court with the Phoenix Suns. The team has Eric Bledsoe, Tyler Ennis and Isaiah Thomas all signed to long-term contracts, meaning Dragic will be opting out of that $7.5 million player option at the end of the season.
According to CBSSports.com, the Houston Rockets are the team to watch when it comes to getting Dragic. Right now, the team is dealing with just Patrick Beverley after the trade of Jeremy Lin and they will want an upgrade soon. Dragic appears to be a solid fit for the Rockets. They were planning on battling it out for Rondo so Dragic is the next-best option. Dragic knows Houston so it seems like the best fit, but considering the Suns will be able to offer more money.
The New York Knicks are also looking to be heavy hitters in the race for Dragic. The team acquired Jose Calderon in the offseason, but are not committed to the point guard as the New York Post assumed he was merely brought on to be a future trade piece. The Knicks want big names in 2015 and they will have the money and cap space to do so. Dragic has their attention.
The Los Angeles Lakers are likely the third team looking to get active in the race for Dragic. The team will be saying goodbye to Steve Nash and likely Lin who is in the final year of his contract. They wanted Rondo, but would settle for Dragic. There will be other options on the market for every team that cannot land Dragic. Reggie Jackson will be a name to watch for the future along with Brandon Knight and trades for either Deron Williams or Brandon Jennings.
