The Phoenix Suns reportedly are close to signing Zoran Dragic, which seemingly indicates Phoenix plans to re-sign Goran Dragic to a long-term contract in July. Committing to Goran for the long haul likely means the end of restricted free agent Eric Bledsoe's tenure in Phoenix and leaves open the possibility of Bledsoe being dealt before Oct. 1.
Zoran's strong showing in the 2014 FIBA World Cup caught the eye of several NBA teams, reportedly including the Miami Heat, the San Antonio Spurs, the Dallas Mavericks and the Orlando Magic. Phoenix, though, appears to be the frontrunner to land Zoran.
"Phoenix Suns and Zoran Dragic negotiate the signing of Unicaja player. Suns wants the two brothers in Arizona," Rafael Molina Guerra of La Opinion de Malaga tweeted Friday.
Zoran is likely sold on the idea of playing with his brother, Goran. The fact Phoenix is bringing in Zoran means they plan on keeping Goran beyond this season. Goran, who has a player option for next season, has already said he plans to opt out of his contract in July and re-sign with Phoenix as a free agent.
"Got a very interesting position with the club. Guess I'll break the contract and sign a new one," Dragic told Siol.net, as translated by Google. "As I spoke (to the Suns), I immediately during the first week, when the market opens, sign and there I can (be) calm."
Re-signing with the Suns as a free agent is the most lucrative option for Goran, given the rules of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
With Phoenix unlikely - or, more to the point, unable to afford - to keep both Goran and Bledsoe on the roster next season, the expected signing of Zoran indicates Bledsoe is the odd man out. Bledsoe and the Suns have been at a standstill over contract negotiations, with Bledsoe purportedly wanting a max-level deal that Phoenix doesn't believe he's worth.
At the risk of letting Bledsoe walk for free next summer, the Suns reportedly are trying to trade Bledsoe. Finding a suitor, though, will be difficult: teams are unlikely to give up assets for a player who they'll likely be able to sign as a free agent in July.
