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Miami Heat 1-on-1: Time to trade Goran Dragic, before he declines?

By Ivan Mora

MIAMI, FL - APRIL 19: Goran Dragic #7 of the Miami Heat rants after being fouled during the third quarter of the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at American Airlines Arena on April 19, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 19: Goran Dragic #7 of the Miami Heat rants after being fouled during the third quarter of the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at American Airlines Arena on April 19, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 1: Goran Dragic #7 of the Miami Heat shoots the ball against Charlie Villanueva #3 of the Dallas Mavericks on January 1, 2016 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 1: Goran Dragic #7 of the Miami Heat shoots the ball against Charlie Villanueva #3 of the Dallas Mavericks on January 1, 2016 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

But if not in Miami, where do you see Dragic thriving in this point in his career?

Mora: If Dragic doesn’t envision himself retiring with Miami and/or for some odd reason there is an immediate trade, he needs to play for a young team in need of a point leader.

I think his situation in Miami is good, but if he is traded then I definitely see him thriving with the Dallas Mavericks. I know they have a solid point guard in Dennis Smith Jr., but think how much he would benefit from having a veteran presence in that position in Dragic.

That team has been slowly rebuilding since their 2011 NBA championship and this season it may finally pay off. With the new addition of Luka Doncic and DeAndre Jordan, this team is stacked in every position. They literally worked in key voids within their roster and improved athletically.

Dragic can play well off Doncic, who is also a great shooter and passer, while having two great post dominant figures in Dirk Nowitzki and Jordan. Don’t forget shooters either, as he has Wesley Matthews and Harrison Barnes on the wings.

If he wasn’t a Heat lifer, then the Mavericks would make the most sense for Dragic’s final years in the league.

Tachauer: Do I have to answer this?

(Editor’s note: yes.)

A few things come to mind when thinking of Dragic playing elsewhere. The first of which being that I would absolutely love to see him play beside Luka Doncic. Now of course, I’d rather that happen in Miami, but if I had no choice but to let No. 7 go, one acceptable destination would be in Dallas via the Mavericks.

I could also see him with a run-and-gun type of squad; last year the Charlotte Hornets and Phoenix Suns topped the league in regards to pace, with the Los Angeles Lakers coming in third. After numerous roster moves this summer though, those standings may no longer be the case in 2018-19. But regardless, Dragic would fair well with a quick team, who could keep up with his up-tempo offense.

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