Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic seems likely to re-sign after the season, but it's not a sure thing. A number of teams - such as the New York Knicks, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks - reportedly plan to pursue him during free agency in July, leaving open the possibility of the 28-year-old being lured away from South Beach as a free agent.
When the Phoenix Suns traded Dragic to the Heat on Feb. 19, he indicated he wanted to stay in Miami beyond this season. That won't stop teams from pursuing him in July when he becomes an unrestricted free agent, however. Already teams are lining up for the Slovenian, with New York, Los Angeles and Dallas appearing to be the three most interested teams.
Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler reaffirmed Monday his belief Knicks president Phil Jackson will - at the very least - take a look at the point guard. Dragic's ability to pass and to hit outside shots consistently - his 50.4 percent shooting from the field leads all guards - makes him an ideal fit for Jackson's triangle offense. New York, like Miami, reportedly was one of the handful of teams Dragic wanted to be traded to, and Jackson will have the salary cap space this summer to offer him a big payday.
Los Angeles will also have enough cap room - projected to be around $21 million - to offer Dragic a big payday. The Lakers are expected to make a strong push for him in free agency, especially if Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo becomes unavailable, and reserve Nick Young already indicated the team likes Dragic. Like New York an Miami, Los Angeles was on Dragic's purported list of preferred destinations his agent gave to Phoenix ahead of February's trade deadline.
Dallas is another team likely to take a hard look at Dragic in the offseason, according to Tom Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News. The fact Rondo has struggled since joining Dallas, along with him reportedly being at odds with coach Rick Carlisle, makes it probable Rondo won't be back with the Mavericks after the season. Cowlishaw named Dragic as one of the options the Mavericks may look at in free agency as a possible replacement at the 1-spot.
Fortunately for Miami fans, there's no reason to think Dragic won't re-sign in the summer. He looks comfortable playing in the offense, and he seems happy playing for a big market team that's still contending despite missing one of its stars. The Heat will have the cap space - only $42.8 million in guaranteed money is on the books this summer - to give him a hefty new contract, and given the number of assets Miami gave up for him, Heat president Pat Riley is certain to spare no expense to keep him.
