It remains to be seen if the Toronto Raptors will get anything of value for Goran Dragic at the trade deadline, but getting his big contract off the team’s books should be the top priority for Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster. Dragic hasn’t played for the team in months, perhaps because he has “higher ambitions” than competing for the playoffs.
While Dragic is 35 years old and has played in just a handful of games this season, Toronto is reportedly finding a great deal of interest in their Slovenian veteran. Dragic was averaging 13.4 points per game for the Heat just a season ago, so he’s not a completely shot asset.
Dragic will not be on the Raptors roster by the end of the season. It’s a matter of when and how they decide to get rid of him, not if. Plenty of desperate contending teams would love to bring Dragic to their city if he is on the market, though his salary might make a trade difficult.
Based on what the latest buzz has been saying, there are three ways in which the Raptors can finally get rid of the Dragic contract. Considering the fact that he’s given them minimal value this season and the team got better when he was removed from the rotation, no one would be sad to see him go.
3 ways the Toronto Raptors can ditch Goran Dragic.
3. Buy him out
This may not be the option the fanbase or organization wants, but it could be the most likely. Acquiring a player in his advanced age for about 30 games at the expense of some quality bench pieces is a risk that not every team will be inclined to take. If that happens, Toronto may need to swallow their pride and move on.
Dragic’s camp has been not-so-subtly angling for a move to the Mavericks to play alongside Luka Doncic. Unless they part with Dwight Powell, which wouldn’t make a ton of sense, the Mavericks won’t be able to both make the money match up and provide Toronto with adequate value.
Toronto Raptors rumors: Buying out Goran Dragic would sting.
In addition to Dallas, Fred Katz of The Athletic (subscription required) is reporting that Jon Horst and the Bucks might be interested in getting Dragic to Milwaukee. A buyout would, at the very least, get him off the roster, even if it does little to alleviate their proximity to the luxury tax.
Dragic playing just five games for the Raptors, getting his wish to play for a team with better title odds than Toronto, and depriving Masai Ujiri of compensation in a hypothetical trade would be the worst-case scenario. Still, if they are unable to find a partner, this is the only option they have left.
2. Swap him for Danilo Gallinari
The Gallinari rumors have started to heat up lately, as Jake Fischer has reported that Toronto and Atlanta have discussed swapping their aging Europeans. As unusual as this trade might sound at face value, both teams could end up being strengthened if this trade materializes.
Gallinari is still a consistent 3-point shooter, though his volume has decreased this season. With Toronto in need of a bench scorer and a shooter that can help space the floor, adding Gallinari, whom Ujiri already traded for once when he was with Denver, could provide a quick fix just in time for the postseason.
Toronto Raptors rumors: Danilo Gallinari would provide solid shooting.
The Hawks need a secondary ball-handler behind Trae Young given Delon Wright’s inconsistency and Sharife Cooper’s need to work on his game. Assuming that Dragic returns from his personal leave, he could be ideal for an Atlanta team looking to lock up a play-in spot.
While Toronto has been shopping a package centered around Dragic and a future first-round pick around the league, Gallinari might be able to come to Toronto in exchange for Dragic and one more cheap contract. If Dragic wants to suit up for the Hawks, a deal could be consummated shortly.
1. Use him and a first-round pick to get Myles Turner
Indiana is fully open for business, as they have already traded away Caris LeVert and Domantas Sabonis to embrace the tank and build around players like Tyrese Haliburton and Malcolm Brogdon. Turner could be on the move if Kevin Pritchard goes all-in on this rebuild.
Turner might not be as likely to be dealt now that Sabonis is out and he can exclusively player the center spot, but Indiana might be tempted by the prospect of getting even more draft capital. Dragic would be less important to them than the picks Toronto could send.
Toronto Raptors rumors: Myles Turner for Goran Dragic is a huge victory.
If Indiana flips Dragic to a third team, they could get some extra assets to help them for the remainder of the season. Getting Turner might be unlikely, but it would be absolutely perfect for the Raptors given the style of play he brings to the table and Toronto’s lack of a shot-blocking center.
“Dragic and a first” has been the package that every Raptors fan has been tossing around the trade machine lately, but it sounds like there might be some legs to this rumor. Swapping Dragic for Turner, who is under contract for next year, would be one of the best moves Ujiri ever pulled off.