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In September, Suns point guard Goran Dragic told a reporter during the FIBA World Cup that it was his intention to opt out of the final year of his contract this summer and become a free agent but that he would only do so with the intention of quickly re-signing with Phoenix.
While that might have been the idea at that time, thats not the case now, as Dragic will have an open free agency, league sources told Sporting News. When Dragic opts out and becomes a free agent next July, he will be a sought-after commodity, and while Phoenix would get the first hearing, Dragic will have options.
Among those options, according to sources, would be Houston the team Dragic left in order to sign with Phoenix in 2012. The Rockets are well-stocked with point guards, but nearly all, including starter Patrick Beverley, can become free agents next summer.
The Lakers also figure to be a potential landing spot for Dragic, a source said though, to be clear, the Lakers have only about $36 million committed next season with needs at just about every position, and thus are expected to pursue multiple big-name free agents.
At issue with the Suns and Dragic is the guard logjam on the team, which Dragic addressed on Tuesday. He told AZCentral.coms Paul Coro that the reason for some of Phoenixs early struggles this year is, Because theres only one ball and were all point guards. Thats an easy answer.
All of this isnt to say that Dragic is surely out the door when free agency comes next summer, or that the Suns are doomed this year. Its only November, after all, and Phoenix will surely be in the mix for a West playoff spot. As coach Jeff Hornacek said on Monday, Theres no reason to jump off a bridge or anything.
But it will take some alterations in the style the Suns guards are accustomed to playing. Its an adjustment for everybody, our rotations, Hornacek said. We still have Gerald Green who gives us some great minutes, so thats four guys at the 1 and 2 spot. Eric and Goran and Isaiah all have to learn to play off the ball. Were trying to swing the ball from side to side so it gets in both guys hands but sometimes theyre on the same side of the court and I think theyre wondering now, What exactly do I do, I dont have the ball in my hands? Theyre still working on that, and well get better."
While that might have been the idea at that time, thats not the case now, as Dragic will have an open free agency, league sources told Sporting News. When Dragic opts out and becomes a free agent next July, he will be a sought-after commodity, and while Phoenix would get the first hearing, Dragic will have options.
Among those options, according to sources, would be Houston the team Dragic left in order to sign with Phoenix in 2012. The Rockets are well-stocked with point guards, but nearly all, including starter Patrick Beverley, can become free agents next summer.
The Lakers also figure to be a potential landing spot for Dragic, a source said though, to be clear, the Lakers have only about $36 million committed next season with needs at just about every position, and thus are expected to pursue multiple big-name free agents.
At issue with the Suns and Dragic is the guard logjam on the team, which Dragic addressed on Tuesday. He told AZCentral.coms Paul Coro that the reason for some of Phoenixs early struggles this year is, Because theres only one ball and were all point guards. Thats an easy answer.
All of this isnt to say that Dragic is surely out the door when free agency comes next summer, or that the Suns are doomed this year. Its only November, after all, and Phoenix will surely be in the mix for a West playoff spot. As coach Jeff Hornacek said on Monday, Theres no reason to jump off a bridge or anything.
But it will take some alterations in the style the Suns guards are accustomed to playing. Its an adjustment for everybody, our rotations, Hornacek said. We still have Gerald Green who gives us some great minutes, so thats four guys at the 1 and 2 spot. Eric and Goran and Isaiah all have to learn to play off the ball. Were trying to swing the ball from side to side so it gets in both guys hands but sometimes theyre on the same side of the court and I think theyre wondering now, What exactly do I do, I dont have the ball in my hands? Theyre still working on that, and well get better."
