Don't Let Goran Dragic's Wish List Fool You

It’s a hell of a frenzy as the NBA’s trade deadline approaches and as one can expect, the Houston Rockets continue to be the news makers.

It’s no secret that the Rockets have launched a full-on pursuit of Goran Dragic, the dynamic, high-scoring, facilitating play maker that this team so covets.

He’d make a difference being on this roster because he possess all of the aforementioned attributes that point guard should have.

He’s languishing with the Phoenix Suns — they already have paid Eric Bledsoe an incredible amount of money to be their point of the future with him signing a five-year, $70 million deal this past off season.

They also have Isaiah Thomas who is the primary backup in the rotation behind Bledsoe.

He has been averaging 16 points, 2.4 rebounds and 4.2 dimes over the last five games being a tad bit more of scoring option than Dragic who has been averaging 13.2 PPG.

One of the reasons is that he is playing the “2” guard position.

That’s certainly out of his character as he does the most damage when he has more control of the offense.

Feb 10, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Rockets guard

Patrick Beverley

(2) shoots the ball over Phoenix Suns guard

Goran Dragic

(1) at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

He currently does not with the way things are going in the Valley of the Sun.

The Suns have decided not to re-sign Dragic and as far as his rebuttal, he has submitted a “list” of sorts that have the teams where he’d like to be dealt to.

He’s making a list and checking it twice…

But unfortunately, we found out last night that although Daryl Morey & Co. is pulling out the stops to acquire him, he is surprisingly not on that list.

This certainly means that he does not want come to H-Town and help us solidify our position as a contender.

It’s no secret that he wants to be in a situation where he’d have more control over running the offense.

Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers?

Why would he go there?

Doesn’t he know that Kobe Bryant will not retire any time soon and the offense will always flow through him for as long as he’s there?

This morning, Marc Stein talked about on ESPN’s “Mike & Mike” that the Sacramento Kings and the Miami Heat could be suitors as well.

Does he have a chance to contend with those teams?

Not right now.

Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are sitting back and counting their millions with three championship rings in tow and the Kings are still trying to find their identity to get back to the winners they where about a decade ago. The Kings do have a few nice pieces including forward/center DeMarcus Cousins.

Then you’d have to wonder if this is all money-motivated.

He’s expected to receive near a max-deal this summer so he already wants to be established in a situation where he’d be able to get it.

Dec 4, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Phoenix Suns shooting guard

Goran Dragic

(1) controls the ball during the first quarter as Houston Rockets power forward

Terrence Jones

(6) defends at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

But the Rockets can offer him a sizable deal as a lot of prior financial commitments will come off the books for 2015-16.

So this so-called “list” may be a moot point because he may not have a choice in the matter.

The Rockets have a lottery pick on the table plus quality resources on this current roster that they can trade away to land him.

The Suns have already indicated that they want a first-round pick for the budding star.

I honestly think that what the Rockets are offering is THE best deal the Suns will be able to get.

At the end of the day, the Suns will make the best move to improve their basketball club and that could involve a deal with the Rockets.

But it’s a matter of if the Rockets want to give up so much if there’s not at least verbal guarantee that he’ll sign after the season is over.

Although Patrick Beverley is the better defender, he needs to come off the bench and provide that jolt of energy we used to have when he was that guy.

Landing Dragic would certainly allow Beverley to go back to do what he does best.

Don’t Let Goran Dragic’s Wish List Fool You

By Brian K. Patterson | Feb 18, 2015