The Phoenix Suns are in need of a seasoned, experienced point guard. The Miami Heat are rumored to have made Goran Dragic available. The Suns should find solace in a familiar face.
There are some, like my fellow writer Adam Maynes on this site, that say the Phoenix Suns should NOT trade for Goran Dragic.
Although he and the others make a good point in their argument, I think it would be a great move.
Even though it may not have ever come out publicly, I think the team ad actually been trying to trade Brandon Knight for a while now. Though the recent actual trade came as a surprise to most, I think the fact that Knight was traded shouldn’t have been a surprise in itself.
However, the team is now left with three young guys as their only lead guards – the trio having a total experience of 23 career NBA games – unless, that is, they want to run out Point Booker on starting night.
The notion that NBA teams do not need traditional point guards though any more is insanity.
A primary ball-handler that can bring the ball up the court and set up the offense would help any team. Ask the Orlando Magic how it worked for them last season.
The Golden State Warriors have a point forward in Draymond Green that leads the team in assists. However, take Stephen Curry off that team and there’s no denying there’s a drop off in success.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are also mentioned in Adam’s post. I’m pretty sure LeBron would have been happier with an upgrade over George Hill. He’s gone to the LA Lakers, and news flash: their young star is Lonzo Ball – a point guard. They also brought in a veteran play maker in Rajon Rondo as one of their first moves.
Sure, LeBron is the best player in the league and there’s no doubt he shouldn’t touch the ball each trip down the court. Just like Devin Booker, they are the best players on either team and should get get a touch each team possession.
Although as great as “The King” is and as great as “Young Kobe” has the potential of being, a point guard helps lessen the load and helps with the overall success of the team.
The Suns should do everything they can to get a solid starting point guard to add to the core they have.
Damian Lillard and John Wall would be amazing and we should keep our hopes high but let’s be realistic.
In the mean time, there are two types of guys the front office should look for: either a player young enough to build with the young core while helping now in a starting role, or a veteran that will be able to help now for a few years while the young guys we have at the position have a chance to develop behind him.
Phoenix Suns
Let’s be honest. That’s all Knight would have been had he stayed.
One solid name that jumps out right away for the second choice is Goran Dragic.
I am a fan of Dragic’s – on and off the court.
I agree with my fellow writer that we should have kept him over Eric Bledsoe even though I’m happy with the baby birds that were brought in since that decision. It also made me very angry when he forced the Suns’ hand into a less than ideal trade.
Yet, after taking a few breaths and clearing your mind, you can kind of see why he did that.
After all Dragic gave to the team and after working his tail off every night, they kept bringing in point guards. How would you feel if you worked hard and gave all you had only to see your employer bringing in help at the same position as you and not giving you a good reason.
In the aftermath, Dragic said he regretted his comments and supposedly there is no ill will on either side – the players or his former employer.
The part that flabbergasts me is this feedback that people don’t want him for that reason seems to come from the same people that were ready to ride into the season on Brandon Knight’s shoulders as the team’s point guard.
Like, you understand he also was vocal on issues with the team right? It’s not like he didn’t have one foot out the door since before he tore his ACL. You’re telling me you’re just going to look past the fact that he refused to come off the bench one game when the team needed him?
That was OK? But, Dragic’s act was so much worse?
I disagree.
The new Suns head coach is Igor Kokoskov, who Goran has limitless respect for and would play hard for every night, having played for him in Slovenia. Goran could arguably end up having a career year here under Kokoskov, an exciting prospect for a team desperate for as much help as possible.
The main reasons other though against bringing Goran in are said to be cost in assets and salary.
The Miami Heat are stuck in a rut, seriously injured by their salary cap situation. They owe their roster the highest amount out of any other team in the league, their current owed salary at approximately $152 million per HoopsHype.
Phoenix could probably pull off an almost a heist to re-acquire Dragic. And financially for the Suns, I don’t think those issues are anything to worry about.
Why would Phoenix do it?
Chandler has been a great vet presence here and would help push Ayton but really as your first pick you want to give Ayton all the minutes and make him a top guy with Booker.
Daniels is a legit 3-point threat but Davon Reed showed signs of growth in the Summer League and you also have Mikal Bridges and even DeAnthony Melton to step up in spot minutes as a backup shooting guard behind Booker who would take most of the minutes any way.
The Bucks’ pick is going to be a lower pick and not a huge loss.
Why would Miami do it?
Chandler and Daniels are both expiring contracts and this deal would save them a lot of money after this season. They also get a first round pick, even at the level Milwaukee’s would be, when their stockpile of picks is pretty much dry.
Tyler Johnson would probably be given the reigns and he’d be a decent starting point for them as well.
Goran has two years remaining at a total of about $37 million left on his deal, if he opts into his player option for 2019-20. That pretty much equals out the cap space the Suns would get by letting Chandler and Daniels walk.
Keep in mind Trevor Ariza‘s contract will also be expiring.
The team would be able to punch some numbers and still find some good deals while being that much closer to finally becoming a playoff team once again.
They’d also be making Booker happy with a solid push to win while the rest of the core develops. For them, seeing what it’s actually like to win should make them push themselves that much harder in growing and helping the team.
In Dragic, a large expiring contract could also be used in leverage in a trade for a point guard if a younger star becomes available. Or, playing for Kokoskov, Goran could opt out and re-work his deal, coming back at a cheaper price.
If the Suns are really looking for a legit starting caliber point guard and are truly happy with the young guards they have, then getting Dragic as a stop gap, someone who would play his tail off for the team every night under his national head coach who he won a ring with overseas is not a bad idea.
It wouldn’t be bad PR for the team either.
Phoenix should make the Heat an offer for Goran. Bring the student back to his teacher, his mentor in Igor Kokoskov. Get the young guys someone that will make them better and help them reach success.
plus, put this into perspective: in the 2018 playoffs, only three guards had more points and assists with less turnovers than Dragic. That trio was Chris Paul, Steph Curry and Jrue Holiday.
That should tell you something.
It should say: “Bring Dragic back home.”