Goran Dragic has picked up his $19.2MM player option for the 2019/20 season, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports (Twitter link). Rade Filipovich, Dragic’s agent, said the point guard “wants to stay in Miami forever,” Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald tweets.
Dragic had until June 29 to make a decision, though the Heat have been operating under the assumption that he would make this move. Miami now has roughly $102.6MM in guaranteed salary on the books for the 2019/20 season.
Rumblings that the Heat are looking for a point guard upgrade didn’t stop Dragic from picking up his option. Dragic is now eligible to be traded.
The Heat originally traded for the veteran point guard at the 2015 trade deadline, giving up four players and pair of picks in the deal. Norris Cole, Danny Granger, Shawne Williams, and Justin Hamilton were all sent to Phoenix — none of those players are on an NBA roster anymore.
The Suns used the 2018 pick they received from the deal to select Zhaire Smith and packaged him along with Miami’s 2021 selection—the other pick Phoenix received from the Dragic deal—to move up and take Mikal Bridges (the Clippers now own Miami’s 2021 selection via the Tobias Harris trade).
Prior to picking up his option, Dragic did not receive any assurances from Pat Riley that the Heat would not trade him, per Jackson (Twitter link). However, Riley also didn’t indicate that trading him was the plan.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Bro, you’re 32, “forever” means 1-2 years at most lol
Tell that to his teammate, Haslam.
Hope he and the rest of the team can stay healthy. He has at least another year or 2 before ultimately, I wouldn’t mind him being used off the bench in a 6th man type of role for the last few years of his career
eat it pat riley, eat it
I feel like he did the team a favor by opting in this early. Now they can get a better idea of his trade market and possibly pull the trigger on a deal during the draft. Before other teams can fill their need for a vet PG like Conley or any of the FAs. If you are looking for a vet PG, do you want to give up something for Dragic or take the risk of trying to be able to sign someone else.
Memphis could want to pick him up as a cheaper short-term mentor to Ja (if they take him that is) if they trade Conley.
He’ll still be there next year, they all will, the old gang will give it another go, rah rah.
Bro he’s making almost 20 million dollars and isn’t in his prime anymore. Why would anyone bite the bullet on him as a rental when his ceiling is capped now? Way better options out there that allow for more cap flexibility
Who in their right mind wouldn’t wanna live in Miami? Even after retirement, can’t beat the place it is the best!!!
Until hurricane season.