Goran Dragic is just about as good as gone from the Phoenix Suns, whether is is before the trade deadline or during the summer. The writing has been on the wall for Dragic ever since Eric Bledsoe and Isaiah Thomas were signed to shrewd contracts this past summer.
With Dragic (seemingly) preparing for the end of days playing for Phoenix, suitors will begin to line up for a summer free agent pitch for his services. The Los Angeles Lakers are in the running for a pre-deadline trade for Dragic right now, but even if they are unable to land him, they are prepared to offer him a max contract this next summer.
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With point guard being a significant weakness for the New York Knicks so far this season (no disrespect to Langston Galloway and Jose Calderon) they figure to be in the running for Dragic as well. Hell, the Knicks are going to be in the running for any free agent willing to listen during these next two summers.
Dragic’s fit within the Big Apple is not too difficult to see. He is a crafty player that shifts and angles his way into the lane to sink unorthodox shots from the left side. He is a bit smaller than Manu Ginobili, but I would say that is a fair comparison to the type of player he aspires to become.
During the last two seasons in Phoenix, Dragic has wreaked havoc on opposing defense by playing the “shooting guard” position despite his point guard frame. Being relegated to play shooting guard has helped increase his ability to play off the ball with slick back cuts and whip around screens for nifty mid-range jump shots.
Playing off the ball will be a nice attribute to have for Dragic if he is to become teammates with Carmelo Anthony.
The 28-year-old Dragic is an underrated distributor and excels at penetrating the defense deep into the paint and kicking the ball out to shooters in the corner. The Knicks need to create more motion and three point shooting in their offense and adding Dragic would kill two birds with one stone essentially.
And Dragic seems to have a soft spot for Phil Jackson as he spoke to RealGM in December:
“You know Phil, he was a great coach. He won so many titles and he was coaching so many great players that of course it’s interesting and I would love working with him. Because probably he’s making all the moves — I’m not sure — but he knows what the team needs and what direction the team needs to go. In the past probably, he makes some decisions, who the Lakers bring in and the Chicago Bulls and (he) did an amazing job.”
(I know, I know. These comments were said during December when the Knicks weren’t a complete train wreck and Melo’s body wasn’t starting to disintegrate before our very eyes. James Dolan hadn’t yet told the whole Knicks fan base to eff off. But please, just focus on the words!)
All signs are pointing towards the Knicks making Dragic a priority during this summer’s free agent extravaganza. He makes more sense for the win-now priorities of their star player and team president than the younger and more inconsistent Reggie Jackson.
A foundation of Dragic, Melo and insert-potential-top-five-draft-pick-here isn’t causing Knicks fans from flooding the streets with cheers of a potential championship. But, it may allow them to step away from the bridge they may jump off after this season concludes.
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