As the NBA trade deadline approached in February, the Los Angeles Lakers were rumored to be among the teams looking to acquire Goran Dragic from the Phoenix Suns. The team held pat as the Miami Heat offered the pieces Phoenix wanted and came away with the point guard.
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With the Miami Heat’s season coming to an end after missing the playoffs, Dragic announced his intention to opt-out of his current contract and hit the free agent market. Although the Heat can be seen as favorites to keep Dragic, the Lakers can also land Dragic’s services, via Sean Deveney of Sports News:
But those familiar with Dragic’s thinking have indicated that Miami is his first choice. He is on the radar, certainly, in New York and Los Angeles, but if the Heat put up something in the neighborhood of a max offer, Dragic would be hard-pressed not to take it.
The Lakers will have plenty of cap room to work with should they wish to make Dragic an offer. It would likely take a max offer to entice Dragic away from Miami. Of course, Miami can offer more years as well as more money since the team owns his bird rights.
After joining the Heat, Dragic averaged 16.6 points and 5.3 assists in 26 games. He joins Dallas Mavericks Rajon Rondo as top free agent point guards. If the Lakers were to make a move at either, the team is rumored to favor Rondo over Dragic.
Rookie Jordan Clarkson finished the season as the team’s point guard but also has the ability to play off the ball should the Lakers bring in someone. In addition to free agency, the Lakers could select D’Angelo Russell or Emmanual Mudiay if they are available during the NBA draft.
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