Goran Dragic’s future with the Phoenix Suns remains unclear beyond this season, but for the last few weeks, maybe even months, it seemed as if, at the very least, he wouldn’t be traded before the Feb. 19 deadline.
That sentiment, while not unfounded, may be in question now.
Per Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times :
Hearing Suns want a first-rounder for Goran Dragic and, rest assured, they'll get it. Rockets got to be tempted.
— Gery Woelfel (@GeryWoelfel) February 12, 2015
The idea that Phoenix would, in fact, bite the bullet and trade Dragic isn’t new. He has the option of becoming a free agent this summer, which he will almost certainly explore. Not only can he net far more than the $7.5 million he’s owed for 2015-16, his stats are tapered while on the Suns since they run with so many point guards. Leaving in free agency gives him the chance to secure a long-term raise and play an even more featured role than he is now.
And if the Suns are sensing this is the direction he’ll travel, it makes total sense to trade him now before they lose him for nothing later. The problem is, they’re chasing a playoff spot, trying to fend off the Oklahoma City Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans. Trading Dragic isn’t going to help that cause. They won’t receive adequate value in return for his services—not with him being a flight risk, and most certainly not if they’re targeting a first-round pick. The latter guarantees minimal tangible talent will complement whatever package is offered.
At the same time, the Suns only have a half-game lead on the West’s eighth and final playoff spot, the slot that’s been considered Oklahoma City’s to lose since Kevin Durant first went down. There’s a chance, if not an ironclad certainty, they miss the playoffs even if they retain Dragic. Then what are they supposed to do? Pay him this summer? So they can keep a lottery-level core in place? No, trading him would be the more prudent move, giving them more flexibility and promising prospects to develop.
Change in this situation can be good, too. The Suns know what they have right now. And right now, they are barely a playoff team. Embracing the unknown is risky, but it’s better than being stuck in the middle.
Still, paint Dragic’s midseason departure as unlikely. Chatter hasn’t been too strong of late, and it would be difficult to piece together a substantial package in such a short amount of time—especially with no guarantee that Dragic will re-sign with his new team.
