Feb 15, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic (1) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Reggie Jackson (15) during the 2014 NBA All Star skills challenge at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
2. Attractive To Free Agents
As mentioned, the Lakers have been dead-set on landing a marquee free agent, but have had little aside from large cap space, an aging Kobe Bryant, possible future roster additions, and the idea of being the next Laker great. Not surprisingly, this pitch has been unsuccessful to multiple free agents, from Dwight Howard to Carmelo Anthony.
Bringing in Dragic is a big step in future free agent pitches. Dragic is a very good point guard, one that free agents would be excited to play with. While he may not be apart of free agent pitches to free agents, he’s someone they’ll note about playing with.
While he hasn’t been named an All-Star, but his 20.3 points per game last year was certainly worthy of that honor. This year, he’s “regressed” to 16.2 points and 4.1 assists likely due to Phoenix’s three point guard system (the system that likely has forced this move).
Next: Salary Cap Situation