The Miami Heat are off to a superb start to their year. While the stalwarts of the last season or so, Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler, have been excellent, they haven’t been alone.
They have gotten a ton from the newest member of the Miami Heat starting lineup in Kyle Lowry and though you need him to hit a few more shots than he has to start the year, his impact can’t be understated.
However and speaking of Miami Heat stalwarts, the guy that had to be sacrificed in order for the Miami Heat to land Kyle Lowry, Goran Dragic, seems to be going through something up in Toronto. Here is the report from NBA reporter, Shams Charania.
Raptors guard Goran Dragic will be away from team indefinitely due to personal reasons.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 28, 2021
While this was just the report of what would be happening, there was also a statement from the Toronto Raptors organization that followed.
Former Miami Heat stalwart, Goran Dragic, needs time away from the game. You hope that all is well with the man so loved by the Heat fanbase.
Here it is.
Statement from GM Bobby Webster on Goran Dragic. pic.twitter.com/g9oJxtsAhp
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) November 28, 2021
You hate to see a guy so endeared and revered by the Miami Heat fans like Goran Dragic dealing with something that may cause him to have to step away from his profession, but it is encouraging to see that the Raptors are so supportive of him at this time.
It’s not that they wouldn’t be or anything of that nature, but you always like to see such support outwardly expressed. While you also never want to speculate what’s going on with someone and their situation, it’s worth noting that this hasn’t been a good year for Goran on the court—by far.
A guy with career averages of about 14 points per game, three rebounds, and five assists, he hasn’t been utilized much this season in Toronto. Out of 20 possible opportunities to see the floor this season, he has only played in five of those 20 games.
His last appearance was better than two weeks ago, a 28-minute performance that saw him give 16 points, five rebounds, three assists, and even two steals on 50 percent shooting from the floor (6/12) and 40 from range (2/5).
Again, you don’t know exactly what’s going on right now and anything that can be conjured up is pure speculation—however, it is interesting to speculate if it’s court-time or opportunity-related. Hopefully and above all else though, Goran Dragic is alright.