NBA Rumors: Raptors Moving Fading All-Star Guard By Trade Deadline

KEY POINTS

Goran Dragic is expected to be dealt away by the Raptors by the February 10 deadline
A move to Dallas is one option for the Slovenian guard
Dragic is due $19.4 million and will become an unrestricted free agent after this season

The Toronto Raptors may have been mentioned in several trade scenarios, but one player who appears imminently heading out is Goran Dragic.

The 35-year-old guard continues to be away for alleged personal reasons although his absence has hardly affected the Raptors.

His last appearance in a Raptors uniform was last November 13, a loss to the Detroit Pistons.

According to Doug Smith of the Toronto Star, the Raptors are finding great interest in a myriad of differently structured deals for the veteran point guard.

This indicated that the Slovenian is more likely to be dealt out on or before the February 10 deadline.

It will be recalled that Dragic came under fire as he was not too keen on playing for the Raptors after he was traded there by the Miami Heat, NBC Sports reported.

Both sides worked that issue out before the 2021-22 campaign started.

In the five games that Dragic appeared for the Raptors, he was hardly a factor, averaging only eight points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists.

But as mentioned earlier, his absence has been hardly felt. Fred VanVleet has stepped up and so have the other young guards.

Instead, Raptors coach Nick Nurse could get someone of use to his cause, another player he could be integrated into his rotation.

As for Dragic, it will be interesting which among the NBA teams would be willing to absorb the 2014 NBA Most Improved Player.

It is worth considering is that Dragic is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the current NBA season.

Dragic will earn $19.4 million this season, yet another thing that other teams will have to consider.

Some could be waiting for a potential buyout before making a move on the Slovenian guard.

Potential suitors could be teams preparing for the playoffs, possibly adding Dragic for added leverage in the postseason wars.

The Dallas Mavericks were mentioned as a possible landing spot where Dragic would serve as backup to Luka Doncic.

Other teams could be in the mix, especially the ones in need of a veteran guard. But that all depends on how the Raptors deal with the veteran guard’s current pact with the franchise.