The San Antonio Spurs were one of the most active teams ahead of the 2022 NBA Trade Deadline. They took part in three separate deals, as they added some draft capital in the process by cashing in on some of the assets that they possessed.
One of those assets was Thaddeus Young. He was traded to the Toronto Raptors, along with Drew Eubanks and a 2022 second-round pick. In exchange, the Spurs received Goran Dragic and a top-14 protected 2022 first-round pick.
It was a shrewd move by the Spurs’ front office as Dragic is someone the Raptors have been looking to trade for months. He was unhappy when he was dealt to Toronto as part of the sign-and-trade deal that landed Kyle Lowry with the Miami Heat. He likely would have had the same sentiments about landing with the rebuilding Spurs, but he won’t be there for long.
It has been reported that San Antonio and Dragic will work on a buyout relatively quickly. That will enable him to hit the open market and choose which team he will be playing for next.
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Speculation was rampant that he would ultimately end up with the Dallas Mavericks. They were one of the teams showing interest in him back when he was first traded to the Raptors as they sought a secondary ball-handler to pair with Luka Doncic. As fellow Slovenians, the two have a good relationship.
However, that no longer seems to be in the cards. According to Marc Stein, Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison said that he sees the roster as being set, which could imply that they won’t be in the mix for anyone that hits the buyout market, including Goran Dragic.
That very well could be the case. Dallas acquired Spencer Dinwiddie, along with Davis Bertans, from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis. Dinwiddie should fill their need for a secondary ball-handler and playmaker on the second unit, which could very well mean Dragic won’t be coming to town.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Emerging Names To Watch As NBA Buyout Candidates
If that is true, there are plenty of other teams that will look to sign him. The Milwaukee Bucks will certainly be in the mix as they have been tied to other potential buyout candidates at the point guard position.
However, the most likely destination for Goran Dragic should the Dallas Mavericks pass is the Miami Heat. There have been some photos and videos of working out with players on the team while he has been away from the Raptors, such as the rehabbing Victor Oladipo.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Emerging Names To Watch As NBA Buyout Candidates
Now that he has been traded twice, he is free to sign with the Miami Heat should he choose to. That feels like where he will end up, as he loved his time there and has seemingly never left given that he has been working out with players on the roster.
