Goran Dragic says he’d welcome a return to the Miami Heat: ‘This is my home’

Goran Dragic, who played for the Miami Heat for seven seasons, said he’s open to a return and would welcome an opportunity to finish his career in his home city.

“I live here, my kids are here. So definitely if I’m looking to finish my career, it would be a no-brainer to finish it in Miami,” Dragic told WQAM’s Tobin & Leroy. “This is my home. I spent an unbelievable seven years here. I love all the players, all the people in the front office (and coaching staff)… I mean those guys give me everything. And this is the city I see myself in the future. So, hell yeah, why not.”

Dragic, 37, last played for the Heat in the 2020-21 season. In seven seasons, he made one All-Star team (2017-18) and helped lead the Heat to the 2020 Finals. In the summer of 2021, Dragic was traded to the Toronto Raptors in a move to acquire point guard Kyle Lowry.

Since then, Dragic has played for the Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks. After signing a rest-of-season deal with the Bucks in March, he will be a free agent this offseason

The Heat first acquired Dragic in 2015, on the heels of the Big Three era, from the Phoenix Suns in a trade for a pair of first-round picks. In seven seasons, Dragic averaged 16.2 points and 5.2 assists — more than his averages for any of the seven franchises he’s played for. He is eighth all-time in points and third all-time in assists in Heat franchise history.

Dragic still has relationships with head coach Erik Spoelstra and assistants Chris Quinn and Octavio De La Grana, as well as several players in the locker room, including star Jimmy Butler.

With 20-year-veteran Udonis Haslem retiring at the end of this season, bringing in a seasoned voice to the locker room with an appreciation for what the franchise stands for could be a helpful addition. In his stops after Miami, Dragic has discussed the Heat fondly.

In 58 games for the Bulls and Bucks this season, Dragic averaged 6.3 points and 2.6 assists in 15 minutes. Though Dragic isn’t a day-to-day player at this stage of his career, he can still be a positive presence in the locker room and occasional contributor.