Goran Dragic has the ability to opt out and become a free agent this summer, and he’s going to be one of the most coveted players on the market. Once you get past the LaMarcus Aldridge/Marc Gasol/Kevin Love/Rajon Rondo tier of stars, Dragic is among the best options for teams looking for help. And he’s made it clear that he’s keeping his options open.
From the Houston Chronicle‘s Jonathan Feigen:Dragic signed a four-year deal with the Suns that gave him the power to opt out after his third season, an option that the Rockets would not give him when they insisted on a contract without player options.
Asked if the Rockets would be at a disadvantage because they could not reach agreement on a deal in 2012, Dragic said, “Oh, no. No. Nothing like that.
“Every team in the NBA is an option to me, because it is a privilege to play for any team in the NBA. When the time comes I’m going to sit down with my family and my agent and try to make the best decision for myself.”Dragic will have no shortage of suitors in free agency. The Knicks and Lakers need long-term point guards and have plenty of cap space to burn. The Rockets are another interesting option — they let him go in 2012, but that’s clearly not something Dragic holds against teams, considering he signed with the Suns that summer after they traded him to Houston in 2011. He could stay in Phoenix, but that probably hinges on how good this season is. They’re currently in the playoff hunt, but there’s no telling how long they can hold off Oklahoma City. Plus, they’ve got major money already tied up in Eric Bledsoe and Isaiah Thomas, both of whom play Dragic’s position. And considering he’s going to command far more than the $7.5 million he’s making this year as a free agent, they may decide not to pay up.