Miami Heat: Exploring 4 potential Goran Dragic trade scenarios

 Despite being named an All-Star last season, here are four trade possibilities for the Miami Heat to consider with point guard Goran Dragic.

The Miami Heat are certainly in no rush to move point guard Goran Dragic.

Recently tuned 32, the Slovenian native has been the definition of Heat culture since arriving in the middle of the 2014-15 season. After a career year in 2016-17, Dragic followed this up last season by earning selection to his first All-Star game in his 10th season in the league. A dynamic point guard who never takes a night off, Dragic’s ability to push the pace and attack the defense is a terrific fit in the modern-day NBA.

Having said all that, and while he’s still performing at a high level, it’s likely Dragic’s best days are nearly behind him. As an up-tempo floor general who has logged over 20,000 minutes for his career, offloading Dragic while he still has a strong level of trade value should certainly be in the mindset of the Heat front office.

Owed $18.1 million next season, with a $19.2 million player option for 2019-20, Dragic’s contract is a pricy but reasonable deal, thus likely giving the Heat more trading options.

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The Heat are in an interesting spot this offseason with a number of players such as Hassan Whiteside, Dion Waiters and Tyler Johnson likely to come up tun trade discussions as the trade and free agency periods develops.

So before the craziness of the summer begins, here are four potential trade scenarios for Goran Dragic.

4. Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets are a team with a number of areas to address this offseason.

One area of need is the addition of a quality veteran floor general. Last season, the point guard duties were primarily handled by second-year guard Jamal Murray, who shared the backcourt with shooting guard Gary Harris. However, while Murray was the designated point guard, the offense principally ran through center Nikola Jokic.

With the ability to play out on the perimeter and utilize his incredible passing skills, Jokic provides the Nuggets with a unique skill-set as a seven-foot playmaker. While Jokic’s playmaking skills are a terrific complement for the shooting abilities of both Murray and Harris, an additional veteran ball-handler is something that head coach Mike Malone would more than welcome with open arms.

Last season, the Nuggets ranked 23rd in turnovers by averaging 15.0 per game. Furthermore, they had 15 games overall in which they committed at least 20 turnovers. Not surprisingly, the Nuggets posted a 3-12 record over this span.

Another area of concern is the presence of forward Kenneth Faried. Unhappy with his current role on the team, Faried has $13.8 million remaining on the final year of his deal. This relates to the Heat because of recent comments by Adrian Wojnarowski made on ESPN’s Mock Draft Special:

Without a pick in this year’s draft, the chance to obtain a solid first round selection would be very appealing to the Heat. With a pivotal offseason looming, the potential chance to attach the pick in order to offload some undesirable contracts could very well sway the thinking of the Heat front office as it pertains to offloading Dragic.

While Faried’s lack of size and perimeter shooting are not ideal in the modern game, he is still just 28 and could provide assistance at a pinch down low when necessary. In terms of Dragic, the Nuggets could either insert him directly into the starting lineup, or utilize him off the bench by becoming one of the elite sixth men in the league.

Ultimately, this is a deal that has benefits for both teams involved, although it’s worth noting that taking on extra salary for a team strapped for cap space like the Nuggets might not be the best idea.

3. Los Angeles Clippers

In the year since the Clippers traded away nine-time All-Star Chris Paul, the point guard slot has been somewhat in revolving door. First off was Patrick Beverley, acquired in the Paul trade. However, just 11 games into his Clippers’ tenure, Beverley went down with a knee injury that ultimately sidelined him for the rest of the season.

The Clippers’ other recognized point guard, newly acquired Milos Teodosic, was on again, off again over the course of the season with recurring foot problems restricting him to just 45 games. So with such uncertainty in their floor generals both last season and moving forward, Dragic becomes a more than viable option for the Clippers to consider.

Last season, the Clippers ranked seventh overall in pace with a 101.06 rating. In Dragic, the Clippers would be receiving a veteran floor leader perfectly suited to an up-tempo system. Furthermore, the Clippers will be tied into Dragic only for the short-term with his current deal expiring at the end of the 2019-20 season.

In Beverley, the Heat will be adding a tenacious, defensive-minded guard who also shot at a 40.0 percent clip from 3-point range in his 11 appearances last season. Additionally, Sam Dekker represents a solid rotation player at the 3- and 4-spots, who possesses the ability to further develop his game under the Heat’s top class developmental environment.

Just as importantly, this deal delivers the Heat three expiring deals with Beverley, Dekker and Boban Marjanovic, which is imperative considering the volume of long-term deals they’re currently tied into at this point.

2. Phoenix Suns

With the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, the Suns are certainly in a position of strength entering this summer. Thus far, the general consensus is the Suns choosing between either 19-year-old Slovenian sensation Luka Doncic, or Arizona center Deandre Ayton.

Whichever direction they decide, the following deal still very much works in their favor.

Dragic is obviously very familiar with the Suns organization, having spent five and a half seasons in the Valley of the Sun over two separate stays. So while his departure from the Suns to Miami was somewhat acrimonious, a couple of factors are on the Suns’ side as it pertains to a potential reunion.

Recently, the Suns hired Utah Jazz assistant Igor Kokoskov as their new head coach. This is of significant relevance, as Kokoskov was Dragic’s coach as Slovenia went all the way last summer to take out the 2017 EuroBasket title. Additionally, Doncic was one of Dragic’s teammates, and thus would present the Suns with an exceptional mentor should they choose to take Doncic with the No. 1 overall pick.

However, in the case they don’t choose Doncic, Dragic provides the Suns with a terrific sidekick to budding star Devin Booker in the backcourt.

For the Heat, not only do they get veteran Tyson Chandler and his expiring $13 million deal, but they also receive former lottery pick Marquese Chriss. Selected No. 8 overall in 2016, Chriss has been the epitome of inconsistency, with flashes of brilliance thrown in between. Prior to entering the league, Kevin O’Connor, now of The Ringer, provided the following appraisal of Chriss’ pro prospects:

"“Marquese Chriss is alluring to NBA teams that can afford to swing for the fences on a high-risk, high-reward prospect. The Washington freshman forward has a propensity for explosive plays and can score from all levels of the floor, but he’s only begun to scratch the surface of his potential and presents risk as an underdeveloped passer, defender and rebounder.”"

Encouragingly for a franchise such as the Heat, O’Connor also added the following:

"“But Chriss does show flashes that will make teams wonder what he could be capable of in a locker room with positive veteran influences and coaches that teach him fundamentals.”"

So while sacrificing Dragic for an unproven commodity is a substantial risk, the Heat will be safe in the knowledge that their strong record in recent times with reclamation projects makes them well equipped to handle the challenge ahead.

1. Charlotte Hornets

With a new coach and president of basketball operations on board, there’s every chance the Hornets will be looking to take the franchise in a new direction this offseason.

Last season, while it was under a different regime, Hornets point guard Kemba Walker was put on the market for trade. Shortly after the reports surfaced, Hornets owner Michael Jordan clarified the position of the franchise:

"“It’s not like we are shopping him. We would not just give him up. I love Kemba Walker. I would not trade him for anything but an All-Star player.”"

Recently turned 28, Walker has spent all seven seasons with the Hornets, holding career numbers of 18.9 points and 5.4 assists per game. Selected as an All-Star the past two seasons, Walker is an explosive scorer, as evidenced by compiling five games last season of 40 or more points.

As Jordan pointed out, while the Hornets are not necessarily actively shopping Walker, an All-Star in return would represent a starting point in negotiations.

So while Dragic now fits the bill as an All-Star, the Heat would need to need to sweeten the deal due to Walker being four years Dragic’s junior. Still just 22, Justise Winslow demonstrated over the course of last season that he has the capabilities of being a significant contributor to a playoff team, whether as a starter or coming off the bench.

In order to match salaries, the Hornets will need to part ways with shooting guard Jeremy Lamb. While clearly not the defensive presence provided by Winslow, Lamb had his most productive season last year, averaging 12.9 points in 24.6 minutes per game.

In his sixth season, Lamb was extremely efficient, producing the terrific shooting splits of .457/.370/.861. Originally the No. 12 overall pick in 2012, Lamb had five games of 20 or more points last season, including a career-high 32 points against the Toronto Raptors.

With veteran shooting guard Wayne Ellington a free agent this summer, Lamb would represent a terrific replacement should the Heat elect not to re-sign Ellington moving forward. Furthermore, the contracts of both Walker and Lamb expire after next season, therefore giving the Heat a tremendous amount of options in the summer of 2019.

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While sacrificing two consummate professionals in Dragic and Winslow is difficult, the move would be bound to improve the Heat in both the short- and long-term.