Phoenix Suns trade Goran Dragic to Miami Heat
Feb 19, 2015, 7:50 PM | Updated: 11:12 pm
Goran Dragic has been traded to the Miami Heat, effectively ending his sixth season with the Phoenix Suns before its conclusion.
Goran Dragic and Zoran Dragic to Miami for two first round picks and Danny Granger. Three other playes to NO
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) February 19, 2015
Granger, 31, was an All-Star in 2009 with the Indiana Pacers, but has struggled with injuries. This season, his first in Miami, he has averaged 6.3 points and 2.7 rebounds in 20.4 minutes per game.
Would not be surprised if the Suns waive Danny Granger as well
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) February 19, 2015
Gambadoro later reported the Heat sent the Suns more than $2 million, too, to help offset the cost of Granger’s salary.
Goran Dragic averaged 16.2 points, 4.1 assists and 3.6 rebounds in 52 games this year while seeing an average of 33.4 minutes per game. Last year, he averaged 20.3 points, 5.9 assists and 3.2 rebounds and shot just over 50 percent from the field in an average of 35.1 minutes per game.
Tuesday, it was announced that Dragic did not intend to re-sign with the team at the end of the season.
Dragic confirmed Wednesday he wanted to be traded, preferably sooner, and that he had “expressed his feelings to the Suns” through his agent, Bill Duffy.
He cited frustration with his role on the team after the addition of a third point guard in Isaiah Thomas (“standing in the corner, it’s not my game”), as well as a “lack of trust” in the front office.
“(I want) to be a point guard, like I was in the past, all my life,” Dragic said. “To be a point guard, to run the team, to have the ball in my hands and try to make plays for others. That’s who I am.”
After the deal was done, Dragic fired off a series of tweets:
Thank you to my fans, teammates and many friends in Phx!! You are what made #cluborange a 2nd home for me and my family! The Suns
— Goran Dragic (@Goran_Dragic) February 19, 2015
organization has been good to me and I hope everyone knows I'd never say or do anything to purposely offend or minimize the success we've
— Goran Dragic (@Goran_Dragic) February 19, 2015
had. Although my recent words came out harsher than I'd intended, I did feel it was time to find a better fit for me as a bball player who
— Goran Dragic (@Goran_Dragic) February 19, 2015
who only wants to be the best and help my team in every way. I'm proud of my time in Phx & never want anything to take away from that or the
— Goran Dragic (@Goran_Dragic) February 19, 2015
relationship I've built and will continue to build in the community.
— Goran Dragic (@Goran_Dragic) February 19, 2015
NOW it's #heatnation time and I'm excited to bring the Dragon's fire to Miami!!
— Goran Dragic (@Goran_Dragic) February 19, 2015
Zoran Dragic was signed prior to this season. The 25-year-old appeared in just six games for the Suns.
