NBA Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers Eyeing Former Miami Heat All-Star In Offseason

KEY POINTS

The Los Angeles Lakers may consider signing Goran Dragic in the upcoming free agency
Dragic has been relegated as a backup point guard for the Miami Heat
The Lakers could be an attractive landing spot for free agents in the offseason

Pitching in the upcoming offseason will not be much of a tall order for the Los Angeles Lakers. And as LeBron James and his squad continue to turn the franchise to an attractive landing spot for emerging free agents, Rob Pelinka could exploit the upsurge in plotting an offer for Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic.

Dragic was the Heat's best player in 2018. But a sudden decline in his game - no thanks to injuries - has put himself at an uncanny situation, playing as a backup point for the undrafted Kendrick Nunn this season.

But despite his relegated role, the Slovenian guard continues to make a good account of himself as he spearheads the Heat's bench mob that placed the team right back at playoff contention.

The 33-year-old cashed in on his previous contract with the Heat, but the Lakers could expect him to take less this time, given the apparent regression that also comes with his age.

"The last unrestricted free agent that the Lakers should target during this free agency period is Goran Dragic. This may be the most difficult player for the Lakers to land. He is making 19.2 million dollars in the last season of his contract," Zane Harris of The L.A. Sports Hub wrote.

"However, with Dragic being 34 years of age, it is unlikely that he will be seeing money that is similar to that. In this season, he is coming from the bench for his current team the Miami Heat. As a result of this, it is almost certain that Dragic will be moving on as he is still a starting-caliber point guard."

“The Dragon” is averaging 16.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists while shooting 43.7% from the field and 37.7% from beyond the arc, helping the Heat notch 41 wins in 65 games this year prior to the suspension in March.

Selected 45^th overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs, Dragic has had stints with the Houston Rockets and the Phoenix Suns before joining the Heat midway through the 2015 season. He was hailed the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2014 and was named an All-Star in 2018.