The Bulls have officially waived veteran guard Goran Dragic, the team announced today in a press release.
The move was a mutual decision made by the Bulls and Dragic, and had been in the works since the team added Patrick Beverley, sources tell K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago (Twitter link).
There was some speculation at the time of Beverley’s signing last week that Dragic would be the player released to make room on the 15-man roster for the newcomer, but Chicago cut center Tony Bradley instead. Now, the Bulls have an open roster spot and are in position to sign another player before the end of the regular season.
Dragic, 36, inked a one-year, minimum-salary contract with the Bulls last summer and had been part of the club’s point guard rotation for most of the season, averaging 6.4 points, 2.7 assists, and 1.4 rebounds per night on .425/.352/.659 shooting in 51 games (15.4 MPG). However, he looked like the odd man out following Beverley’s arrival.
Because he was waived before March 1, Dragic will be playoff-eligible if he signs with another NBA team between now and the last day of the regular season. It’s also possible he could be claimed on waivers, since any team could absorb his contract using the minimum salary exception. A club placing a claim would have to be willing to take on Dragic’s full $1.84MM cap hit and would owe him the money left on that contract.
Assuming Dragic clears waivers, his $1.84MM cap charge will stay on the Bulls’ books and Chicago’s team salary would remain about $1.2MM below the luxury tax line, tweets ESPN’s Bobby Marks. That gives the club more than enough room to sign a player to a rest-of-season minimum-salary deal to fill Dragic’s roster spot.
heat should cut haywood highsmith and bring him back ASAP.. Unless they can convince Udonis to step away now (he’s barely with the team anyway)
Yeah, I mean Love, Zeller, and Dragic should really put the Heat over the top.
It’s more they need competent guys with all the injuries. Dragic, Love, and Zeller at least don’t look washed.
Dragic is the definition of washed.
Zeller played 27 games last year and 3 so far this year. He hasn’t played more than 60 games in a season since 2017.
Love ain’t bad, but the thought of him trying to guard any athletic PF in the playoffs is frightening.
What does “guard” mean? Is that something they did in the 80’s?
Highsmith is good, I would waive Omer Yurtseven, or waive Jamal cainand sign Haywood to a 2 way
I wouldn’t let Omer go.
Cain should go
Udonis should point his finger in your face. You will be gone like Dwight. Maybe you should step down
Dragic to the Heat, heard it here first!!!
You’re probably right. Heat seem to be going for every white dude who is bald or has grey hair in the NBA.
Obviously this may have Heat all over it. I would love to see Dragic back here.
Dallas, Denver, Miami
Should have convinced him to stick around Chicago.
Dallas should sign him and Noel