The Phoenix Suns have been intent on re-signing Goran Dragic for quite some time now, but with the Feb. 19 trade deadline approaching, that doesn’t mean other teams won’t test their resolve.
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Houston Rockets will try to entice the Suns into a deal before the deadline to acquire Phoenix’s highly coveted point guard. The Rockets let Dragic go in free agency in 2012, deciding a four-year deal worth $30 million — a bargain contract as well all know it to be now — was too much to pay for his services.
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Stein also lists the Los Angeles Lakers and strong pursuers for Dragic, saying they may be prepared to offer him a max deal in the area of four years and $80 million.
None of this news should come as a surprise. Houston’s greatest area of need is the point guard position and the Lakers are pretty much targeting every major free agent under the sun this summer in an effort to turn their fortunes around. Don’t be surprised if you hear the Indiana Pacers throw their name into the conversation either.
But the disturbing news for Suns fans is just how intent these teams are on acquiring the Dragon. If the recent rumors that the Suns only want a future first round draft pick for Dragic are true, any team could enter the conversation. If the Lakers offer $80 million to Dragic over the summer, it’s hard to see the Suns matching, even for a fan favorite.
If the Lakers want to pay Goran Dragic 80 million dollars over 4 years then well.....he's a Laker.
— Scott Howard (@ScottHoward42) February 13, 2015
The Suns could offer $109 million over five years unlike other suitors, but that’s a steep price to pay for a 28-year-old point guard who has never started in a playoff game. I still believe the Suns are committed to re-signing their fan favorite if they can, but they need a sign that he wants to remain a Sun first.
If that reassurance doesn’t come, there’s a chance we could see a deal go down. Phoenix could take a step toward making Dragic happier by trading Isaiah Thomas away, since that would lead to more touches for the Dragon. But IT’s trade value isn’t as high as Dragic’s and there isn’t as much interest league-wide.
Suns general manager Ryan McDonough recently told Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, “I think our roster balance is a little off and that’s my fault. We are a little too backcourt-heavy, especially in terms of guys who, you know, I think you’d primarily define as scorers in the backcourt.”
The Suns are a young team, but clearing out the backcourt logjam would help them take the next step forward. Most fans would prefer to see Thomas go if anyone has to get the axe here, but even as a free agent Dragic would command a larger ransom in a trade.
The question is, what do the Rockets have to trade that the Suns would want? All their most covetable pieces are instrumental to Houston’s aspirations as title contenders. Salary-wise, Trevor Ariza is the closest fit but I don’t see the Rockets downgrading from him to Corey Brewer in the starting rotation simply to acquire a guy who might bolt this summer anyway (though the Rockets would have the inside track to re-signing him since they could offer the most money).
If you’re the Suns, do pieces like Kostas Papanikolau, Corey Brewer or Terrence Jones do the trick? Again, I’m skeptical. Houston’s first rounder is owed to them from the New Orleans Pelicans, which means it will likely be in the No. 12-15 range. But do the Suns really need more picks with so many young assets already on the roster? If I’m the Suns, I’m hanging up on any deal that doesn’t start by including Terrence Jones.
Hopefully McDonough is wary of his predecessors mistakes, since the last time the Suns engaged in a Dragic trade with the Rockets they wound up with Aaron Brooks, losing a fan favorite AND a lottery-protected first round pick in the process. The Suns corrected their mistake by bringing him back, which is why it’s hard to see a deal with Houston going down if you’re Phoenix.
That doesn’t stop free agency from looming overheard like a dark cloud, and if the Suns want to find the sunshine again and have any hope of keeping the Dragon, they’ll need to find a way to move Thomas.
However, Dragic is already 27 years old and his prime is unlikely to coincide with that of Alex Len (21). Eric Bledsoe has proven he’s capable of leading the team and the Morris twins are showing signs of rapid improvement (offensively). Dragic’s crafty playing style will allow him to remain effective as he ages, but his abilities as a one-man fast break will likely diminish a bit.
What say you, Suns fans? How do you see this Goran Dragic situation playing out?