Goran Dragic of the Miami Heat is headed into free agency although there is no telling when that starts. With the coronavirus leaving the world paralyzed, NBA action has been suspended with no official word on when it can resume. The league was in the home stretch of its 2019-20 regular season and league commissioner Adam Silver is left pondering on what to do next.
On the part of Dragic, he is in the final year of his deal with the Heat. He will be making $19.2 million this season before becoming one of the unrestricted free agents in the offseason. Although the Slovenian was one of several players Miami wanted to trade before the current NBA season, Dragic has played well thus far.
For the 2019-20 season, Dragic has played in 54 games averaging 16.1 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.1 rebounds. These are jacked up numbers although critics expected this from the 33-year-old guard. The fact that he is in the final year of his NBA deal, Dragic is using the 2019-20 season as a way to audition for other teams. As of this writing, no team has expressed interest in his services although that is subject to change one the current season officially closes.
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Heat could dangle All-Star guard a one- year deal worth about the same as what he is getting now. That could be worth considering unless the 45th pick of the 2008 NBA Draft wants a long-term deal. At his age, the best he can expect is a two-year pact.
Dragic may opt to skim the free-agent market first before deciding on his future. Miami may end up with a lower salary cap, forcing Pat Riley to re-sign players on their end set to become free agents. Aside from the Dragon, other players who could be re-signed include Jae Crowder, Derrick Jones Jr., and Meyers Leonard.
The Heat have been mentioned as possible suitors to Giannis Antetokounmpo or Victor Oladipo. If their pursuit for either player becomes successful, some free agents (including Dragic) could be let go.
With most teams targeting younger players, Dragic's chances of landing a big and long-term deal are not looking rosy. This is something he could seriously weigh with the NBA on break. The Heat are bound for the playoffs but even that is up in the air unless a solution to the COVID-19 pandemic comes out.
