Miami Heat star Goran Dragic is expected to opt out of his contract and become a free agent this summer, according to the Sun Sentinel.
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The Heat acquired Dragic shortly before the trade deadline back in February after it was revealed that they were one of the three teams that he would have been open to joining.
The New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers completed that list as he left the Phoenix Suns, and while he ended up landing in Miami, he was unable to help the franchise to the playoffs.
While it is still certainly a possibility that he will return to Miami next season, it is expected that the Heat will have to compete with the rest of the league in order to keep him as he will opt out of his contract and become a free agent.
Dragic confirms he will opt out, head into free agency.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) April 17, 2015
The 28-year-old averaged 16.6 points, 5.3 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game after moving to South Beach, and he has insisted that he has enjoyed himself around his new teammates and in the team’s system.
Miami also appear keen on bringing him back and so it may be a case of talking numbers and coming to an agreement with the other teams at an immediate disadvantage in negotiations.
However, it is likely that the Slovenian star will be looking for a long-term deal that pays well, and so it remains to be seen if that fits in with what Miami are planning to build in the coming years.
Both the Knicks and Lakers will be expected to make their respective moves after being alerted to the fact that Dragic will be on the market, but Miami arguably remain the favourites to land him beyond the summer.
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