The NBA is filled with the most talented basketball players in the world, but being the best among those is something only a handful can achieve. Many of the best players make the All-Star team multiple times throughout their careers, but for players that are just one tier below, making it even once is a huge honor.
Goran Dragic has been an excellent player during his NBA career, but one of the peaks of his NBA tenure came during the 2013-14 season when he averaged over 20 points and 6 assists per game throughout the season. Dragic narrowly missed out on making the All-Star team that season, something that would have been a deserved award for his efforts.
However, when he discussed it with Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver, he didn’t get the response he might have expected, with Sarver seemingly happy that Dragic didn’t make it to the team. Goran told the story on a Slovenian podcast, and the translation for it was provided by teolight223 on Reddit.
“He came to the gym and said that he is happy…. Actually happy. So I asked him why are you so happy? He told me that it’s because he doesn’t have to pay me a 1 million dollar bonus. And I was like, what kind of owner doesn’t want his own player to make the All-Star team. After that I said to myself .. I really don’t see myself being in this place any longer.”
Sarver has been accused at times in the past of being quite stingy when it comes to spending, and the Suns’ recent success was also threatened when they didn’t want to give Deandre Ayton a max contract. Dragic did get his All-Star selection in 2018 when he was part of the Miami Heat, leaving Phoenix the very next season. This story is a bit wild and an excellent example of how not to treat a star player on your team.
