Dallas Mavericks: 3 Difference-making free agents
Goran Dragic, PG, Miami Heat
Key Stats:
28.2 Minutes Per Game
16.2 Points Per Game
3.2 Rebounds Per Game
5.1 Assists Per Game
44.1% Field Goal Percentage
36.7% 3-pt Field Goal Percentage
Surprise! Not really because rumors circulated that Dragic would end up in Dallas via a trade, but that quickly fizzled out when Miami realized Dallas wanted Dragic. Now as a free agent (with a player option), Dallas could make an offer convincing enough for the Slovenian such that he opts-out of his player option.
The biggest issue regarding Dragic currently is his age; the All-Star guard is 34 years old and is coming off a plantar fascia tear from the NBA finals. This, unfortunately, overshadows how well Dragic played in the regular season. Dragic was near his averages from his 2017 All-Star season playing as the sixth man for the Miami Heat.
Age looked like it was going to slow Dragic down this season but he seemed to shrug it off with ease. While great for him, it does continue to make his contract situation a bit murky for him and the team that signs him. Given last season’s production, he certainly deserves more than what he’ll earn by accepting his player option ($17 million). However, a plantar fascia injury combined with being 34 puts into question how long he can keep playing at such a high level.
You pay the man too much money, you might struggle to get your return on investment.
That said, if the Mavericks believe they can get the most out of him they should sign him. What do you get with him though? A solid scorer who continues to excel at converting mid-range jump shots (51 percent) and a good playmaker (career 5 APG). Defensively Dragic has been consistently average but the biggest value he can provide any team is high volume scoring off the bench, something that is becoming increasingly hard to find in today’s league.
In theory, the Mavericks don’t need another offensive-minded point guard, but Dragic is better than anyone currently on Dallas’s roster even factoring in age. He can make Jalen Brunson even more of a replaceable asset and that could allow the team to send a package deal to grab themselves the wind defender they so badly need.