Goran Dragic, 37, is currently an unrestricted free agent after signing a Rest-of-Season contract with the Milwaukee Bucks in March, and the 15-year veteran is now interested in returning to the Miami Heat.
“The main desire is to return to Miami,” Dragic told siol.net. “Now everyone is waiting for Damian Lillard to decide where he will go next, so everyone is off to a low start. When this is known, the movement for the other players will open as well.”
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Goran Dragic revealed his desired landing spot this summer 👀 pic.twitter.com/iAhHHExzh4
— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) July 14, 2023
“We are in talks with a few clubs, but much more will be known in a few days when the news will be released. You will see,” Goran Dragic added. “My home is in Miami; I have both children who go to school there.
“It really all works out. I spent the best seven years of my career there, and I think returning to Miami would be the icing on the cake. That would really be something phenomenal. We’ll see.”
Furthermore, the Heat have two open roster spots, but the team is holding off signing any new players until the Damian Lillard situation is resolved, per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Former Chicago Bulls guard Goran Dragic is interested in returning to the Miami Heat for the 2023-24 season, has a home in Miami
In February 2015, the Phoenix Suns traded Goran Dragic and his younger brother, Zoran Dragic, to the Heat. Goran made 282 starts in 391 games played with Miami over the course of seven seasons (2015-2021).
Moreover, the 6-foot-3 guard averaged 16.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 30.9 minutes per game with the Heat. In 73 starts of the 2016-17 season, Dragic averaged a career-high-tying 20.3 points per game.
Along with averaging 3.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, the guard shot 47.5% from the floor, 40.5% beyond the arc, and 79% at the foul line. He averaged a career-best player efficiency rating of 27.1% as well.
“The main desire is to return to Miami. Now everyone is waiting for Damian Lillard to decide where he will go next, so everyone is off to a low start. When this is known, the movement for the other players will open as well. We are in talks with a few clubs, but much more will be… https://t.co/OJeMoNP90B
— Austin Konenski (@Austin_Konenski) July 14, 2023
In Miami’s 112-104 win over the Celtics on Nov. 28, 2016, the Slovenian standout recorded 27 points, two boards, a season-high 17 assists, and two steals in 38 minutes as a starter. Plus, he shot 8-of-15 (53.3%) from the field and 11-of-12 (91.7%) at the free throw line.
Dragic made 21 appearances split between the Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets in the 2021-22 season. He averaged 7.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.1 dimes per game. Not to mention, he finished 37.7% shooting from the field and 25.4% from 3-point range.
Additionally, Dragic signed a one-year, $2.9 million contract with the Chicago Bulls in August 2022. However, Chicago then waived the All-Star guard this past February. In 58 games off the bench in the 2022-23 season, Dragic averaged 6.3 points, 1.4 boards, 2.6 assists, and 15 minutes per game.
