Goran Dragic is operating as if his time with the Phoenix Suns is over. Less than 24 hours after news broke that he wants to be traded before Thursday’s deadline, the reigning All-NBA Third Team honoree spoke to reporters and confirmed that his days in Phoenix are numbered.
Dragic on trade demands, "I was clear and they (front office) are going to do what they are going to do. #Suns
— Jeffrey Sanders (@JeSanders11) February 18, 2015
Dragic on if the #Suns can do something to change his mind, "I already made up my mind. It's 2 years, I played hard and every year is same."
— Jeffrey Sanders (@JeSanders11) February 18, 2015
Dragic, "I will always love the city and fans, Im just at the point in my career where it is better for me and my family to move on." #Suns
— Jeffrey Sanders (@JeSanders11) February 18, 2015
Dragic on ideal situation, "To be a point guard like I was in the past and all my life, to run the team and have the ball in my hands."
— Jeffrey Sanders (@JeSanders11) February 18, 2015
But how do you really feel, Goran?
The situation in Phoenix has taken a drastic turn since reports of Dragic’s unending discontent surfaced. Just yesterday it appeared as if the Suns would trade Isaiah Thomas to placate The Dragon’s wish for his team to ditch its experiment with three upper-echelon point guards; now he’s the one on the way out.
And if Dragic is to be believed, he’ll be leaving the desert one way or another – via trade by 3:00PM EST tomorrow or free agency later this summer.
What a difference several months make. Dragic publicly committed to re-signing with the Suns last September, and the team signed his brother, Zoran, in hopes of ensuring that seeming likelihood. And such an assurance, of course, came in wake of Dragic enjoying a career season while nearly guiding the Suns – along with Eric Bledsoe – to a shocking playoff birth.
Dragic and Phoenix appeared a perfect marriage, but that was from an outsider’s perspective. On the inside, strife that’s come to a head was clearly developing during 2013-2014 – hence his “it’s been two years” jab. And if Dragic was frustrated sharing the ball with Bledsoe, just imagine how unhappy he must be while doing so with Bledsoe and Thomas.
The Slovenian star is certainly entitled to choosing where he plays, but we’re dubious that his stellar performance from last season can ever be duplicated. Jeff Hornacek’s frenetic spread pick-and-roll system is a perfect fit for Dragic’s natural penetrating gifts, and one just several other teams have the staff or personnel to implement.
We believe he’d be best-served from a playing perspective by coaxing the Suns into dealing Thomas and otherwise staying the course.
But that doesn’t matter. Dragic wants what he wants, and apparently that’s to be the clear-cut playmaking focal point of his own team. That wasn’t happening or going to happen in Phoenix after the team afforded Bledsoe a four-year extension before the season, and he’s decided it’s time to move on as a result.
Bold. Here’s hoping The Dragon’s bravado pays off with success like last season’s going forward.
