Brooklyn Nets: 3 free agents to consider this offseason

2. Goran Dragic

The Nets’ pursuit of Goran Dragic this offseason will indicate that Spencer Dinwiddie is no longer on the roster. Dragic is set to hit the free agent market after playing out the final year of his five-year, $85 million extension that he signed back in 2015 with the Miami Heat.

Prior to the start of the 2019-2020 season, the Heat announced that Dragic would be coming off the bench. Primarily a starter in his career this was the beginning of a new role, a new chapter in Dragic’s basketball career.

In an article on heatnation.com by Justin Benjamin, Dragic spoke on his new role for the 2019-2020 season. He understood that his transition to the bench would be in the best interest for both sides moving forward. His previous season was cut short due to season-ending knee injury, which opened the door for younger players on the roster.

"“For me, it’s the path of every athlete,” the 2018 All-Star graciously said. “When you’re young you play a lot of minutes. Then it comes time when you need to make sacrifices for the team. It’s not easy, we’re all competitors; we have egos. It’s my job. I have to be professional.”"

After a disappointing 2018-2019 campaign, Dragic was having a bounce-back season. The 11-year guard from Slovenia was averaging 16.1 points and 5.1 assists in 28.4 minutes. Numbers like that will not go unnoticed and have a player in the discussion for sixth man of the year.

https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/1244089876254994433?s=20

Bringing in Dragic would give the Nets a quality veteran who is still producing at a high level. He would be given the responsibility of anchoring the second unit. Depending on the roster construction the team could start both Irving and Dragic together in the backcourt. It would allow one to play off the ball and the other to facilitate the offense.

For the Nets the pitch to sign Dragic should begin and end with contending for a championship. Having the opportunity to join a team led by Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in the New York market would be a tough decision to pass up.

While the fit would be ideal for both sides, the price tag would need to fit the team’s budget. Expect the salary to be similar to Dinwiddie’s, who is owed $11.5 million next season. Anticipate multiple teams to be interested in acquiring Dragic’s services.

The only way Dragic ends up in Brooklyn is the departure of Dinwiddie and that he takes a pay cut. If that is the case, does he sign with the Nets?