Goran Dragic has emerged as the main trade target at the deadline this season and after informing the Phoenix Suns that he would not be signing an extension with the team this summer, Yahoo Sports is reporting that if the team trades the guard he prefers to end up with the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat or New York Knicks.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski at Yahoo, Dragic's agent Bill Duffy told the Suns that he would not be signing an extension this summer. USA Today first reported the news and Woj followed up with a report that Duffy told the Suns that Dragic prefers the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and New York Knicks if he is traded. The Houston Rockets are also considered an option for Dragic.
The NBA trade deadline is coming up and Goran Dragic could be one of the top targets this year, as teams like the LA Lakers, Houston Rockets, NY Knicks, Miami Heat and Sacramento Kings are all in the market for a point guard and the Phoenix Suns may look at dealing him before he has the chance to hit free agency next summer.
Dragic came into this year after winning the most improved player award last season and he is poised to get himself a long term contract once he hits the market. ESPN.com reports that every if Dragic is traded, he is unlikely to sign an extension and plans on having an "open" free agency this summer. Marc Stein writes that Dragic will consider signing back with the Suns, but that he also will have interest from the LA Lakers, NY Knicks, Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings.
Dragic has improved immensely over the last three seasons, increasing his scoring and production from 11 points per game to 20 points per game last season along with nearly six assists per night. One reason the Suns could think about trading Dragic is because they have plenty of depth at the guard position with Eric Bledsoe, Isaiah Thomas and Tyler Ennis. Dragic is coming off of his best season and teams are expected to go after him aggressively, especially teams with money to spend like the Knicks and the Lakers. Many felt the signing of Thomas to a four year deal this offseason was insurance in case the team lost Eric Bledsoe as a restricted free agent, but Marc Stein at ESPN speculates that it was more about Dragic.
The Boston Celtics traded Rajon Rondo before he hit the free agent market and in a similar situation the Timberwolves traded Kevin Love to the Cavaliers before he could opt out. Many see the Timberwolves as the way to go, as they traded Love way ahead of his free agency and received a strong package, while the Celtics waited a long time on Rondo and got a lesser deal.
The Pacers showed interest in Dragic this offseason and contacted the Suns about a potential deal, but it did not get close and once Paul George went down things changed for Indiana. Roy Hibbert likely would have been part of that deal if the teams made the trade and the Suns could be looking for a big man if they end up trading Dragic.
