NBA Rumors: 5 Noteworthy Names Who Could Actually Be Traded
Goran Dragic, PG – Miami Heat
It’s been a rough go for the Miami Heat this season. Following the losses of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, they’ve been unable to consistently put notches in the win column. Hassan Whiteside is doing an exceptional job of being the franchise player, but he’s not getting enough support.
He especially hasn’t gotten the needed support from Goran Dragic, who’s been battling a sprained ankle. Even when he is in the lineup, the eight-year NBA veteran hasn’t been as effective as in years past.
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There was speculation before the season that Pat Riley could trade away Dragic. While head coach Erik Spoelstra confirmed that a trade wasn’t in the works (via ESPN’s Marc Stein), things could change if the Heat keep losing. We all know that Riley isn’t afraid to make moves when the going gets rough.
Miami has a strong foundation of young talent with players like Whiteside, Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson. However, more assets are needed before they return to contender status. Trading away Dragic could be a good opportunity for them to reload in terms of cheap, young talent and draft picks, as ESPN’s Nick Silva pointed out.
It’s no guarantee Dragic will be playing elsewhere by this season’s end. However, the odds of a trade seem to be increasing with each loss the Heat suffers.