The Dallas Mavericks are one of the teams many people are keeping an eye on this offseason. They are monitoring the Kristaps Porzingis situation, as rumors going back to the NBA trade deadline are that the organization is trying to move him.
While moving him will prove difficult, given his injury history and contract, Dallas will have to find ways to improve the roster around superstar Luka Doncic.
Keeping Doncic happy should be the No. 1 priority for the organization. He is an all-world talent that they will never be able to get fair value for. So, keeping him happy so that he stays is the best course of action and one way to do that could be acquiring Goran Dragic from the Miami Heat.
Dragic has a $19.4 million team option with the Miami Heat for the 2021-22 season. If they exercise that option to move him, the Mavericks are one team that should have plenty of interest in acquiring him.
For starters, the relationship between Doncic and Dragic is a good one. They are both Slovenian and Dragic would be a veteran for Doncic to lean on should there ever be any difficulties throughout the season.
His ability to remain on the court is a red flag, however. Dragic has battled numerous injuries the previous three seasons, missing double-digit games in each. His injury in the 2020 Orlando Bubble derailed their title chances.
When he can be on the court, Dragic would provide Dallas with a much-needed playmaker. Outside of Doncic and Jalen Brunson, there is very little when it comes to players that can set up their teammates. His ability to stretch the floor, as he is a 36.4 percent 3-point shooter in his career, would enable him to play alongside either guard in the backcourt.
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Dragic is a good target for Dallas because he will not clog up their salary cap space in the future. With a Luka Doncic extension on the horizon, Dallas needs to leave as much salary-cap maneuverability in the future as they possibly can.
Following the massive number he is owed this season, the Dallas Mavericks could either negotiate a deal for a lesser amount or go chasing another big named free agent with the money that would be freed up.
Landing Goran Dragic would be a sound decision as it improves the team immediately and leaves them with future flexibility as well.
