When Goran Dragić was traded to the San Antonio Spurs, they agreed to a buyout so the 35-year-old veteran could compete for his first NBA Championship.
Although multiple contenders called Dragić, his relationship with former teammate Steve Nash (Brooklyn’s head coach) led him to sign with the Brooklyn Nets, per NBA insider Marc Stein.
Dragić hasn’t played since November 13 following a ‘mutual agreement’ with the Toronto Raptors to keep him sidelined. He’s been working out in his South Florida home to keep in shape in hopes of joining a contender. The Raptors ended up moving him at the trade deadline to the Spurs, where he reached a buyout agreement.
In only five games played this season, Dragić averaged 8.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 38.2 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from three. The Nets, however, hope he can return to his play from last year, where he was a backup for the Miami Heat.
Last season, the Dragon averaged 13.4 points and 4.4 assists per game on 43.2 percent shooting from the field and 37.3 percent from distance. Dragić is a proven ballhandler and shot-creator, something Brooklyn has needed, especially when Kyrie Irving isn’t in uniform.
To make space for Dragić on the roster, the Nets released Jevon Carter, their third-string point guard. Carter had a guaranteed contract for this and next season, worth around $7.5 million in total. However, the Nets can stretch out his $3.9 million contract for next year over the next three seasons. That would be a $1.3 million dead cap hit through the 2024-25 season. Carter has subsequently signed with Milwaukee off of waivers.
