Report: Suns could target Goran Dragic
Jun 21, 2012, 3:09 PM | Updated: 4:27 pm
Over the next month or so, a lot will be learned about the
future of the Phoenix Suns.
On June 28, we’ll find out whom the Suns will take with
the 13th overall selection in the NBA Draft.
More importantly, on July 1, the free agency period starts
and we’ll learn about the future of Steve Nash. The two-
time league MVP is a free agent and has been linked to
about a dozen NBA teams who may have interest in signing
him, including the Suns.
But what if Nash moves on to greener pastures by either
signing a free agent contract or as part of a sign-and-
trade deal orchestrated by the Suns? Then what?
The Suns could be looking at Nash’s heir apparent in the
draft in the form of North Carolina point guard Kendall
Marshall.
There are several intriguing point guard options on the
free agent market as well, including Deron Williams and
former Nash backup Goran Dragic.
Dragic, whom the Suns traded to Houston in February of
2011, got his first taste of being a starting point guard
this past season when Kyle Lowry went down with an
injury. As a starter, Dragic averaged 18.0 points and 8.4
assists per game while shooting 49% from the floor. He’s
made himself a commodity on the market.
According to Sean
Deveney of Sporting News, the Suns have
Dragic on their radar.
Assuming that is not Houston, a source told
Sporting News, Dragic could wind up in a familiar
surrounding anyway—back in Phoenix. Should the Suns lose
Nash in free agency, Phoenix is expected to make a push to
re-sign Dragic and give him the reins in coach Alvin
Gentry’s offense. That would suit Dragic.
Dragic was a second round pick by the San Antonio Spurs in
2008, but was dealt to the Suns on draft night for Phoenix
pick Malik Hairston, a 2009 second round pick and cash.
In three seasons with the Suns, Dragic averaged 6.7 points
and 2.7 assists in 183 regular season games. He’s best
remembered for his tremendous performance in Game 3 of the
2010 Western Conference Semifinals, when he poured in 26
points in just 17:27 of playing time in a win over the San
Antonio Spurs.
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