The NBA trade deadline is getting closer and Goran Dragic is expected to be a target for teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, NY Knicks and Sacramento Kings, as the Phoenix Suns are deep at guard with Isaiah Thomas, Eric Bledsoe and Tyler Ennis and as Dragic heads into free agency in 2015, he could get traded instead of leaving for nothing this summer.
Dragic is set to hit the market this summer and now that Rajon Rondo has been traded, he could be the top target for teams in 2015. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Dragic is likely to stay with the Suns, but he plans on having an "open" free agency and that means teams will get the chance to talk with him.
When the Suns signed Isaiah Thomas this summer before Eric Bledsoe many wondered if he was insurance for Bledsoe if he opted to sign somewhere else, but Marc Stein at ESPN.com saw it differently. Stein wrote recently that he thought the Suns were prudent in their moves, as Thomas was insurance for Dragic and not Bledsoe, as the Suns expect him to have numerous suitors this offseason. Stein wrote that the Suns realized that Dragic would be a heavy target in the summer and that they might need a plan B going into 2015.
The Suns may consider trading Dragic at the deadline if they get a deal with a first round pick in it, but teams looking to get Dragic likely will not give that up. The Celtics and Mavs pulled off a deal for Rajon Rondo despite the fact that he is heading into free agency, but Dallas was very motivated. Dragic is a prime target at the deadline and in free agency next summer, as he is one of the most notable players in the group, especially with Kevin Love likely not coming to the market.
Dragic joins players like Greg Monroe and Marc Gasol as the top free agents in 2015 and that means teams like the Lakers and Knicks will be in the mix. Both Los Angeles and New York are gearing up for the summer of 2015, as they both are slated to have a ton of cap space and the two franchises are also looking to orchestrate fast turnarounds. The Knicks are built around Carmelo Anthony and the Lakers still have Kobe Bryant for a few more years and that means both teams want to add talent.
Dragic is averaging 16 points per game this season and is coming in after winning most improved player of the year last season. The Suns were one of the most surprising teams in the league last year and they are trying to make the playoffs after winning 48 games. The team is one of the top scoring offenses in the league and part of that is due to Dragic and three headed guard monster the Suns have.
The Knicks, Lakers and Rockets are all targets for Dragic this summer according to Pro Basketball Talk and the Rockets may look at a trade deadline deal. The Rockets were interested in Rajon Rondo and missed out on that and now they could try and upgrade from Patrick Beverley with Dragic, a player that once was on their roster.
