Veteran Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic’s contract with the team ends at the conclusion of the 2019-20 NBA season, but a new report indicates he may be amenable to accepting a team-friendly contract to remain with the franchise.
Andre Fernandez of The Athletic looked at the Heat’s free-agency options, including the Miami players who will be looking for new deals.
In the case of Dragic, the Heat’s desire to make upgrades of the roster may conflict with the idea of keeping him on the team.
“Dragic might be willing to discuss a team-friendly deal to remain in Miami that preserves space to land a frontcourt scorer who wouldn’t command as much of a financial commitment,” Fernandez wrote.
There’s no indication what amount Dragic would be willing to consider, but it’s a guarantee that the amount is nowhere near the $19.2 million he’s making in the final year of his five-year deal.
The 34-year-old Dragic is a team player who has adapted to coming off the bench and is also an asset in the locker room and in dealing with the team’s younger players.
Dragic has blended in well with the Heat’s February pickups of Andre Iguodala and Jae Crowder and maintained his value as a player to be relied on at the end of games.
Even in the role of sixth man, Dragic is continuing to deliver good numbers, averaging 16.1 points, 5.1 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game. In addition, he still remains a threat from beyond the arc at 37.7 percent this season.
The shutdown caused by the coronavirus has resulted in uncertainty in what next year’s salary cap will be and could be a factor in how much the Heat might be willing to offer Dragic.
Dragic has been invaluable during his time in a Heat uniform and would be missed if he chooses to move on, but the financial realities faced by the Heat may end up deciding the issue.
