Goran Dragic and the Miami Heat are reportedly expected to ‘quickly’ agreed on a new deal for the Slovenian player. Dragic is coming off a very good season where he reached the Finals with the team but only played one game due to a torn left plantar fascia. Dragic had a terrific campaign with the Heat and was one of the reasons why they had such a magical run in the Orlando bubble.
Nobody knew what was going to happen with him this offseason. Some said he was going to test the waters of free agency but that might have changed now. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Heat are expected to agree to a deal around the range of $20 million with Dragic.
Here’s what a front office official with another Eastern Conference team said:
▪ He said he could see Miami giving Dragic $20 million for one year or two years and $40 million (with a team option on 2020-21).
But “in the open market, I don’t think he would get more than $12 million to $15 million because of his age (34) and the marketplace.”
I would expect the Heat and Dragic to quickly come to a deal that would pay him in that $20 million range, with a potential team option for a second year. He earned $19.2 million last season. Both sides want to strike a deal quickly.
One benefit of a second year team option: It could be used in a sign-and-trade for a free agent next summer.
Dragic is 34 years old right now and he’s not getting any better. As Jackson explains, a team option could give the Heat an advantage next summer while they keep Dragic and see if they can run it back to the Finals this upcoming season. The Heat reportedly have big plans for the 2021 offseason, where they’re expected to pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo and some other big names like De’Aaron Fox.
That said, it looks like the Heat will give it another run with the Slovenian player before entering a new era with younger assets.
