Should the Miami Heat move Goran Dragic, before it’s too late?
Welcome to Miami Heat 1-on-1, a new series here at AllUCanHeat. Today, Ivan Mora and Allana Tachauer discuss Goran Dragic, and whether or not the Miami Heat would be wise to trade him now, before he starts to show wear and tear.
First thing’s first: how do you feel about Goran Dragic’s 2017-2018 campaign with the Miami Heat?
Ivan Mora (@ivanmora): I think it was a very successful year for the Dragon.
Regarding injuries, he actually had one of the best seasons yet, only missing six games. Dragic has slowly turned into Miami’s leader and in Dwyane Wade‘s absence, he took on that task head on and fully delivered.
I think being co-captain now, alongside James Johnson and Udonis Haslem, has shown what a true veteran he really is. He displays great mentorship on and off the court, fully embracing the Heat Culture and is exactly what Miami needs right now.
His 2017-18 campaign (like subsequently any other Heat start) didn’t pan out as planned. Too much excitement and too many expectations overtook the Heat locker room, and I think the pressure might’ve been too much for their young core to handle.
However Dragic soon stepped up, averaging 17.3 points per game to go along with his ever so helpful 4.8 assists, while maintaining a great pace for the Heat, as they figured out their identity in the struggling Eastern Conference. I think a lot can be said about his demeanor and how well he handled himself, throughout an exhausting year filled with injuries and constant confusion in their rotations.
He kept his head high and that’s all you can ask of a consistent leader.
Allana Tachauer (@allanatachauer): Goran Dragic was just about the only consistent thing to come out of the Miami Heat’s 2017-18 run, so for that reason alone I’d say his campaign is certainly worth celebrating.
But beyond that, his overall performance last season was impressive. His numbers decreased slightly from 2016-17, but I think he may have actually made a greater impact on the entire team.
Off the court, he was mentoring younger guys like Bam Adebayo and helping new-comer Kelly Olynyk slide right into the Heat’s system, stepping up as the organizations’ glue, through and through.
And he didn’t fail to deliver on the court either.
After all, the Slovenia-native was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week not once, but twice this past year. He also made the 2018 All-Star roster for the first time in his career, a great feat regardless of the fact that he was chosen as a replacement for an injured Kevin Love.
Dragic deserves every bit of praise for his work last season.
With all that said though, do you think the Heat should try and move him this summer?
Mora: Absolutely not.
Despite the obvious call most NBA fans will throw Miami’s way, clearly making their case for obtaining a young asset for a declining value, I think they’re wrong.
Dragic is still a tough and gritty guard who will definitely give it his best when called upon. With the exception of Wade and Haslem, he is the team’s oldest player (in terms of years with the Heat) and in ways the most valuable in that position too.
He is a veteran and has to provide experience and leadership to the next group of young athletes that are trying to co-exist with this roster. Many are disregarding and ignoring the team’s young talent and it’s up to the veterans like Dragic to build up that stored confidence this young team has.
Miami definitely needs to make some moves this offseason but trading Dragic shouldn’t be one of them. He needs to retire with the Heat. He’s a Heat Lifer now.
Tachauer: That’ll be a hard no from me.
As much as it makes my ears bleed when I hear people advocate for moving Dragic, I get it. His last two years in Miami have more than proven his worth as an elite point guard, so the front office would surely be able to sell him for a great return.
However, that doesn’t mean they should.
The 32-year-old may not be able to average 17 points plus forever, but he’ll still be a great role model and shoulder to lean on for his teammates. Dragic has an incredible work ethic and an extremely high basketball IQ, traits that will be far more valuable than points per game once the team’s younger core reaches their ceiling.
President Pat Riley may have recently stated that no one on the current roster is untouchable when it comes to this offseason, but Dragic should be. He deserves to retire with the Heat.
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.
And if he does move on, who would you like to see running point for the Heat instead?
Mora: I think most Heat fans would agree in vouching for Justise Winslow to make a switch to point guard later on in the future.
He has great build and is fast enough to control that pace and position. He has even gone on record saying he loves playing the point and can see himself taking on that task if called upon. I think that would definitely free up more shooters, while distracting defenses with pick and rolls and isolation drives.
Winslow has been immensly progressing as the years go by and has a framework similar to Kawhi Leonard. If he focuses on being the point and spreading the offense, then Miami can focus on its shooters. It’s a great match and something that should at least be discussed during the season.
Most people give both Winslow and Josh Richardson the benefit of the doubt, but those two are future All-Stars in my book. They have that young, raw talent teams look for in the draft and now with three years of experience, I just think this next season will see flashes of dominance from both.
Hopefully with Winslow occasionally running the point.
Tachauer: If you would have asked me this a year ago, I would have probably said Kyrie Irving without any hesitation. His speed and ball-handling skills would be a sight to see in South Florida, especially alongside the likes of Josh Richardson and Justise Winslow.
But since his fallout with LeBron James and subsequent move to the Boston Celtics, I’m no longer necessarily a supporter.
The thought of Kemba Walker as a member of the Heat has always intrigued me as well, as I think head coach Erik Spoelstra could do wonders to his already loaded game. Having just finished his seventh year in the NBA, Walker averaged 22.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.1 steals a game for the Charlotte Hornets, in 34.2 minutes of play.
At 28, he still as plenty of gas left in his tank but would also bring experience to the table, having been in the league long enough to know the ropes.
But at the end of the day, there’s no one I’d rather see in that starting lineup than Dragic.
Next: Can the Miami Heat snag Jimmy Butler this summer?
Nothing but love here for Miami Heat point guard Goran Dragic.