The Chicago Bulls are moving forward without guard Goran Dragić. The team announced Tuesday, a day before the playoff eligibility deadline, that it is releasing the 15-year NBA veteran.
“Thank you & best of luck,@Goran_Dragic!” the Bulls said in a Twitter post.
Dragić, an All-Star in 2018, reposted the tweet with his own message of gratitude.
“Thank you @chicagobulls best of luck,” he said with a high-five and red heart emoji.
The 36-year-old Slovenia native was only averaging 6.4 points per game with 2.7 assists and 1.4 total rebounds in 51 games this season. Dragić has not played since Feb. 13.
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He joined the Bulls last offseason after spending the season before split between the Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets. Prior to that, he spent seven seasons with the Miami Heat, where he was an All-Star in the 2017-2018 season.
Dragić was named league’s Most Improved Player for the 2013-14 season while a member of the Phoenix Suns, where he began his NBA career in 2008. He also played briefly for the Houston Rockets.
Goran Dragic, during a game with the Chicago Bulls on Dec. 4, 2022.
Dragić’s release makes space on the roster and with the salary cap for the Bulls, who recently acquired free agent guard Patrick Beverley. Guard Lonzo Ball is out for the season with a knee injury.
The Bulls are currently 11th in the Eastern Conference, just outside of the playoff picture.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chicago Bulls release Goran Dragic before playoff eligibility deadline
