NBA News: Why Goran Dragic Will Be Impactful For Any Title Contender

With the conclusion of the NBA trade deadline last Thursday, February 10, title-chasing teams will be looking to upgrade their depth via the buyout market and guard Goran Dragic is one of the most high-profile names expected to hit the market.

The San Antonio Spurs traded backup center Drew Eubanks, veteran forward Thaddeus Young, and a 2022 second-round pick in exchange for Dragic and a 2022 first-round draft pick.

Shams Charania of The Athletic broke the news that Dragic and the Spurs have already “agreed to a contract buyout,” making him a highly sought-after commodity.

This development comes as no surprise as San Antonio will be focusing on developing its core group of youngsters led by third-year forward Keldon Johnson and recently-named All-Star Dejounte Murray.

Dragic’s upside is already limited due to his age, but his experience in taking on leadership roles will be invaluable off the bench.

“The Dragon” showed flashes of being a heady point guard in his second stint with the Phoenix Suns that lasted from 2012-2015 before being traded to the Miami Heat in the 2015 NBA trade deadline.

He led the Heat to an NBA Finals appearance during the 2020 Orlando Bubble in an eye-opening run that had Miami as the underdogs.

In that postseason, Dragic averaged 19.1 points on 44.4 percent field goal shooting, 4.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and one steal per game, making him an integral piece of their run in the bubble.

However, Dragic could only play in Game 1 of the Finals as he suffered plantar fasciitis injury.

NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Dragic is already drawing interest from teams like both Los Angeles teams (Lakers and Clippers), Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks.

The commonality between all the teams that Wojnarowski named is currently lacking a pure point guard that could take over the game once his number is called.

Of the teams mentioned by Wojnarowski, the likeliest destinations for Dragic would be the Bucks, Warriors and Nets as they have the most realistic shot at gunning for the NBA title this season.

The Lakers, in particular, have the perfect role for Dragic in leading their bench, but there is a high possibility that they miss the playoffs as they do not have enough firepower to contend with the top teams in the Western Conferences.

With no shortage of teams pining to have his signature, Dragic is a commodity that NBA fans will need to keep their eye on.