The Toronto Raptors have agreed a trade with the San Antonio Spurs that will ship Goran Dragic to Texas. However, the point guard is unlikely to remain a part of the Spurs organization for long.
As several media reported on Thursday, a few hours before the trade deadline, Dragic is going to the Spurs together with a lottery-protected first-round pick (2022). In exchange, Toronto gets Thaddeus Young, Drew Eubanks and a 2022 second-round pick.
Should the lottery-protected Raptors pick not go to San Antonio this year, the pick is loud ESPN still top 13 protected for 2023. The pick would then turn into two second-round picks.
Wie Adrian Wojnarowski (ESPN) reported shortly after the deal became known, the Spurs and Dragic will most likely negotiate a buyout. Once the 35-year-old is bought out of his contract (with 1 year and $19.4m left), there will be a number of teams after the point guard.
According to information from Chris Haynes (Yahoo Sports) the Dallas Mavericks are considered favorites in the event of a successful buyout, Dragic has a close friendship with Luka Doncic. The Mavs have been said to be interested in the Slovenian since last summer. However, the Bucks, Bulls and Clippers will probably knock on Dragic’s door.
Dragic was traded from the Miami Heat to the Raptors in August 2021 as part of the Kyle-Lowry trade. However, he made his displeasure with the trade publicly clear, ultimately playing just five games for the Canadians (8.0 points and 1.8 assists). He has not been with the team since mid-November for personal reasons.
