NBA Rumors: Heat May Only Offer Short-Term Deal For Dragic

KEY POINTS

Heat may offer Dragic one-year big time deal
Dragic unlikely to get more than two-year offer from other teams
Heat may retain free agents if salary cap is limited

Goran Dragic is in the last year of his deal with the Miami Heat and it remains to be seen if the 33-year-old will still get a generous contract moving forward. Though he has been playing splendidly this season behind Jimmy Butler, the chances of him staying may depend on whether the Slovenian would be fine with a short-term deal.

It has been a big turnaround for Dragic who started the 2019-20 NBA season as one of the players who would be traded away by Miami. With several players being paid heftily, the investment did not pay off for team president Pat Riley. But heading into the home stretch, Dragic is still around. This season, the 6-foot-3 guard has played in 54 games averaging 16.1 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.1 rebounds. As mentioned in a previous post, these are notable bumps in production but seen more like an audition for other NBA teams to see.

Looking ahead, Dragic could be dangled a one-year deal but with big figures involved. This is what an associate of Dragic reportedly anticipates, possibly in the vicinity of $19 million, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported. However, there are factors that need to be considered. That includes possibly a far lower salary cap due to the coronavirus pandemic. There is a chance that salaries could be reduced.

If the Heat ends up with a lower salary cap, chances are they could re-sign Dragic. The same case holds true for their upcoming free agents like Derrick Jones Jr., Jae Crowder, and Meyers Leonard. Though Miami has eyes on big-name players like Giannis Antentokounmpo and/or Victor Oladipo, sticking with the roster they have right now is the plausible option.

As for Dragic, his options for the next NBA season may be limited. Other teams, at best, may only offer him as much as a two-year deal. The numbers could be tweaked but the 45th pick of the 2008 NBA Draft needs to realize that most teams are now investing in younger players. Also, he may not land a starting role with most veterans taking a backseat nowadays.

Sticking with the Heat could be the best means for Dragic although anything can happen in free agency. So far, no team has expressed heavy interest in the 2014 NBA Most Improve Player but all that could change after this NBA season.