Ahead of the NBA trade deadline on Thursday, Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic told reporters on Wednesday he no longer trusts the team's front office. He indicated he wanted to play on a team where he would be the primary ball handler, something he isn't in Phoenix's crowded backcourt.
Dragic reportedly told the Suns on Tuesday he would leave as a free agent after the season no matter what, if they kept him. The next day Dragic spoke to reporters and indicated he wanted to be traded, citing his lack of trust with the front office as one of his reasons.
"I don't feel comfortable here with my situation," he said, via Arizona Sports. "I was happy here but the situation as it is now is I need to think about my future, about my family and I think so that's the right thing to do for myself. ... I don't trust them (the Suns) anymore. It happens too many times, two, three times. They give promises, OK, but -- it's hard, but at the same time, I wish them all the best.
"They were great to me, the past five years here. I'm always going to have a good memory about Phoenix, fans. I love this city, but it's just hit that point of my career that it's better for me and for my family to move on."
There's certainly a market for Dragic, whose player option for next season gives him some say as to where he goes. Yahoo Sports reported Wednesday Dragic's list of preferred destinations, which his agent gave to Phoenix, includes the Miami Heat, the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks.
He also has drawn interest from the Houston Rockets, the Sacramento Kings and the Boston Celtics.
It's uncertain what kind of return Phoenix will get back for him, though. While he's worth a team trading significant assets for, most teams are now unlikely to give up anything major since they know he'll be available as a free agent in July if the Suns don't deal him.
As for Dragic, he said he wants to play on a team where he can return to being the primary ball handler.
"(I want) to be a point guard, like I was in the past, all my life," he said. "To be a point guard, to run the team, to have the ball in my hands and try to make plays for others. That's who I am."
The NBA trade deadline is on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. ET.
