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Goran Dragic: How To Trade Your Dragon

By Gerald Bourguet

Feb 8, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic (1) drives baseline against Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic (1) drives baseline against Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Goran Dragic
Nov 19, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (left) guard Goran Dragic (R) battles for the ball with Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe (10) during the fourth quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Suns won 88-86. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Detroit Pistons

The Trade:

After this whole Dragic ordeal, I’m sure the last thing Suns fans want to hear is “risk.” Signing Isaiah Thomas, even to a bargain deal that the Suns gave up virtually nothing for, was a “risk.” Trying to re-sign Dragic would’ve been a “risk.” And now, hypothetically trading for Greg Monroe would be a “risk.”

Playing on a qualifying offer this season worth $5.5 million, Monroe is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Stan Van Gundy and the Detroit Pistons will attempt to re-sign him, and Monroe has fit in much better there since Josh Smith‘s departure, which is why he’s been reportedly off limits.

But with Brandon Jennings going down with a season-ending injury and the Pistons intent on making the postseason, isn’t there a chance a Dragic offer could tempt Detroit?

Again, this deal comes with a great deal of risk. The Suns will have cap space this summer, but they’d basically be trading one max-level player who wouldn’t outright commit to re-signing for another. Monroe is the kind of piece the Suns need inside, but he’s not a defensive presence, he could very well leave over the summer and he’d hinder the development of either Alex Len or Markieff Morris.

I’m more open to the idea of Monroe in Phoenix than I was at this time last year, but this would be a big risk, and it’d be one that I’m not sure the Pistons would take either.

Next: Not Much In Indiana

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