Point guard Goran Dragic made the decision on Thursday to opt in to the final season of his five-year, $85 million contract, a move that was expected.
After the announcement, Dragic’s agent Rade Filipovich indicated that his client is hoping to remain with the Miami Heat for the rest of the career.
Dragic will earn $19.2 million during the 2019-20 campaign, an amount he wasn’t likely to receive on the free agent market due to his advancing age and the injury-plagued season he completed two months ago. Despite his pending return, the 33-year-old with 11 NBA seasons on his resume now becomes trade eligible and can be dealt elsewhere.
Since being acquired by the Heat in February 2015, Dragic has often been a key part of the team’s lineup. His knee trouble and subsequent surgery this past year limited him to just 36 games, starting in 22 of those contests. Prior to those woes, he had been a durable presence on the court, seeing action in 70 or more games in each of the preceding six seasons.
Dragic is definitely seeking to make a comeback after a disappointing year in which he saw his statistical averages in key areas drop to 13.7 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.1 assists per game.
His veteran presence can also serve as an asset for the Heat following the retirement of team legend Dwyane Wade.
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