NBA Rumors: Miami Heat Likely To Let Dragic Leave In Offseason

Goran Dragic will find himself among the free agents in the offseason although a return to South Beach is a possibility. But for that to happen, the 33-year-old would have to agree to whatever the Miami Heat would be willing to hand him. The word out is that the Slovenian could be handed a one-year deal worth $19 million.

Dragic was one of several Heat players believed to be in the block. The other players mentioned before the 2019-20 NBA season included Hassan Whiteside, James Johnson, and Dion Waiters. Of the quartet, Dragic is the only one remaining on the Heat fold after exercising his player option. He will be earning $19.7 million.

It is possible that the 45th pick of the 2008 NBA Draft could be offered a similar sum but for only one year. Aware that his days of playing pro ball are numbered, Dragic could end up wanting a multi-year deal. With plenty of young guards stepping up this NBA season, the Heat may not be open to offering him one. The fact is team president Pat Riley is on a youth movement and Dragic could end up finally exiting - something that most felt would happen last season. Much of this was discussed in a previous report.

This season, Dragic has been putting up impressive numbers. In 54 games, the Slovenian is averaging 16.1 points, 5.1 assists and 3.1 rebounds, per Basketball-Reference.com. The boosted numbers hardly come as a surprise since Dragic is also trying to create an impression on NBA teams who could be interested in signing him.

The Miami Herald got a chance to speak with Dragic but the 6-foot-3 guard seemed unready to discuss his free agency plans. For now, he prefers to focus on his current deal and worry about his future after the Heat's 2019-20 NBA campaign.

“A lot of different factors, my family, myself. I would say it’s too soon to talk about it. I’m not thinking about my next contract. I’ve always been a guy in the present,” Dragic said.

As most know, the NBA is currently suspended because of the coronavirus issue. Originally just for 30 days, it appears that the resumption of games will be pushed further. The Center for Disease Control and Protection announced that all in-person events involving 50 or more are to be called off for the next eight weeks. So far, NBA commissioner Adam Silver has yet to reveal what the league plans to do.