As things stand, Goran Dragic will be playing for the Toronto Raptors next season. The veteran point guard spent the last few seasons with the Miami Heat, where he experienced a great deal of success. Dragic was the leading scorer and the pivotal figure for the Miami Heat team that reached the 2020 NBA Finals. But as Dragic has gotten older, his productivity has reduced greatly.
So the Heat pulled off a sign-and-trade deal to acquire Miami Heat, which effectively sent Dragic to the Toronto Raptors. Reports suggest that Dragic doesn’t want to play in Toronto and wants to join another NBA franchise, signing the last big contract of his career. But Dragic made his feelings about the Raptors very public recently, and he caught a lot of backlash for it.
Dragic partook in an interview during his time back home in Slovenia. In the interview, Dragic noted that Toronto wasn’t his preferred destination and that he had higher ambitions in the NBA rather than to play for a team that is currently rebuilding. The comments clearly did not sit well with the Toronto fanbase, as they were very insulted by what Dragic had to say.
“Toronto is not my preferred destination. I have higher ambitions. We’ll see.”
https://twitter.com/Zooox/status/1424792776009453577
Since the interview has come to light, Dragic issued a lengthy statement, in which he apologized to the Raptors fanbase. He noted that his comments were disrespectful because the franchise has won an NBA championship in the last few years, whereas he hasn’t. He reiterated that he would be professional regardless of where he was playing. And his goal at the moment is to play well for them.
I just spoke with former Miami Heat and (for now) Toronto Raptors guard Goran Dragic about his comments on Slovenian TV. He is one of the most respected vets in the NBA, and clearly feels terribly about how things have come across. Story coming soon for @Sportsnet: pic.twitter.com/gNa0u5gR31
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) August 9, 2021
“My message basically, to all Toronto fans, is I would like to apologize. It didn’t come out the right way. I know they love their team, and they should be proud, it is one of the best organizations in the NBA. They’ve already won a championship and I didn’t, so what I said, it really was not appropriate. I’ve always been professional. You can ask a bunch of people. Everywhere I’ve played, wherever I’m going to play, I’m going to be professional and do my job. I love basketball, I love to play and I’m going to give 100% wherever I play. Right now I’m (with) Toronto and that’s my main thing to think about.”
It remains to be seen how fans take to Dragic’s apology. As of now, the reaction has been mixed. But Dragic’s future is far from resolved. It appears from reports that Dragic wants to play with his Slovenian compatriot Luka Doncic. But the Mavericks are not ready to buy him out or execute a trade for the guard. If the Raptors agree to a buyout with Dragic, then the Mavericks will be an option for Dragic. But for now, Dragic looks set to start the season with Toronto.
