2. Goran Dragic
Age: 30
Position: Point Guard
2016/17 Salary: $15,890,000
Contract Expires: 2019/20 (Player option)
2016/17 Stats: 19.1 PPG, 6.7 assists per game (APG), 4.1 RPG, 45.4 FG%, 41.6 three-point percentage (3P%), 34.4 MPG, 24 GP
Currently enjoying his best season since arriving in Miami, Dragic has been a constant source of trade speculation throughout the season. With team president Pat Riley recently stating that the team is looking at adding an additional pick in this upcoming draft, Dragic’s name is always one of the first that is going to come up in trade talks. And considering the recent spike in the league’s salary cap, Dragic’s contract represents a steal for a prospective team.
Dragic is demonstrating that when given the chance to have the ball in his hands and create, he can emulate the form that earns him all-NBA third team honours in 2013/14. He has excelled since Dion Waiters went down with a groin injury, averaging 22.3 PPG and 7.5 APG combined with a 47.6 FG%.
A team who could view Dragic as a key step in their development as a franchise are the Denver Nuggets. With incumbent point guard Emanuel Mudiay still up and down with his form, a deal centred around these two dynamic players is a viable option.
Click here to see how the deal may pan out.