Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic has officially declined his $7.5 million player option for next season. It was an expected move from a player that might actually receive max-contract offers on the open market next month.
Goran Dragic has declined his player option with the Miami Heat, expected but now actual @BBallInsiders
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) June 22, 2015
Dragic, 29, was traded from the Phoenix Suns to Miami in a three-team deal prior to the trade deadline in February. He responded by averaging 16.6 points and 5.3 assists in 26 games for a Heat team that missed out on the playoffs.
Miami is said to be willing to offer the combo-guard a five-year, $80 million contract, which falls well short of the max deal they can offer him.
Now an unrestricted free agent this summer, other teams can offer the former second-round pick a four-year, $85 million contract on the open market. Simple match indicates that’s $5.3 million more annually than the Heat’s reported offer.
Among the teams expected to be interested in the guard are the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks, both of whom have more than enough cap room to give him the max.
Complicating things further for the Heat is the fact that Dwyane Wade is likely going to opt out of his contract in order to receive a raise from the $16.1 million he’s slated to earn next season. 2014 free-agent acquisition Luol Deng can also opt out of his current deal.
Photo: USA Today Sports
