Where should Goran Dragic go after Buyout

San Antonio Spurs are expected to agree on a contract buyout with NBA point guard Goran Dragic. Now he is a free agent.

The veteran guard has been with multiple teams from the Phoenix Suns for four years to the Miami Heat for seven years. As of the 2022 season, Dragic is looking for a new home after short stints with the Raptors and Spurs.

There are reports of several teams pursuing Dragic’s service like the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, and Brooklyn Nets.

All these contending teams that want Dragic are in need in-depth with the point guard position with injuries need of veteran presents, or poor guard play being the reasons. They also would value a player like Dragic with experience in ball handling who can initiate the offense.

Let’s look at how each team could benefit from Dragic’s basketball ability.

Brooklyn Nets

Nets’ point guard depth chart: Ben Simmons, Kyrie Irving, Cam Thomas, and Seth Curry

Dragic would be beneficial to the Nets as a quality starting guard with Irving playing a “part-time” role. He also would be the only true ball-handler with other guards, besides the new acquisition, Simmons who can play point guard is more of a shooter or scorer for the offense. Dragic could be the main ball handler for the team when Simmons is not on the floor.

LA Clippers

Clippers’ point guard depth chart: Reggie Jackson, Brandon Boston Jr., Luke Kennard, Norman Powell, and Jason Preston

The addition of Dragic would be beneficial for the Clippers considering the lack of point guards in the depth chart with Jackson and Preston being the only point guards on the team. They recently trade Eric Bledsoe who wasn’t available enough for the team and Jackson emerge as the starter for the team. Dragic could add more ball-handling ability while being another complementary piece to the Clippers. When Paul George and Kawhi Leonard return, Dragic would fit well with the two-star players as a player to ignite the offense.

Golden State Warriors

Warriors’ point guard depth chart: Stephen Curry, Gary Payton II, Chris Chiozza, Jordan Poole, and Damion Lee

It would not hurt the Warriors to add more scoring from their point guard position. Dragic could back up Curry when he is sitting or out for some games. The team would also benefit in having Dragic to be a veteran player that is reliable when other guards on the Warriors’ bench is injured. Fans would want the team to get forwards with Draymond Green and James Wiseman out, but are expected to be back in a few weeks. Players would have to be cut to create space for Dragic which will be a tough decision on who is expendable. There are reports of the Warriors being “aggressive” in pursuing Dragic, so it would be a possible destination for him to land in.

Los Angeles Lakers

Lakers’ point guard depth chart: Russell Westbrook, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Avery Bradley, and Malik Monk

The Lakers (27-31) are currently struggling with consistency with staying above .500 and some of the blame is on Westbrook’s play or the lack of depth in the position. Dragic wouldn’t automatically save the team, but gives them a chance for consistent production in points (13.9) and assist (4.8). He proved to be a reliable player (if the Lakers make the playoffs) by helping the Miami Heat reach the Finals versus them in the bubble of 2020. Dragic could bring the point guard production so Lebron could not do so much and probably play well with Westbrook with his ability to be an okay shooter (46.2% field goal) in his career.

Milwaukee Bucks

Bucks’ point guard depth chart: Jrue Holiday, George Hill, Lindell Wigginton, and Grayson Allen

This destination is interesting because the point guard depth is depleted with Hill out due to neck soreness and Allen having to play the shooting guard position. Dragic is a battle-tested player in the playoff and would be a legitimate ball-handler for the team. It would also help Holiday with getting less responsibility in being the only veteran point guard on the team. Dragic could give a lot of production to Buck’s bench which ranks 29th in points, assist, and 25th in rebounding. The pick-up of the veteran player could be a game-changer for the Bucks and help them have a chance of repeating as NBA champions.

Chicago Bulls

Bull’s depth chart: Ayo Dosunmu, Coby White, Lonzo Ball, and Alex Caruso

Like the Bucks, the Bulls have a diminished point guard depth with players Ball and Caruso currently out. Dragic could produce the same way those players did with scoring and facilitating the offense along with Demar Derozan and Nikola Vucevic. He could be an experienced guard, bring a veteran voice to the locker room, and be solid to the backcourt till Ball or Caruso returns.

His veteran experience in the playoffs and being a former Most Improve Player (2014) would be a value for any team who need depth in their point guard lineup. The former All-Star (2018) would be a benefit to any team as the 2022 NBA season continues.