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Why Goran Dragic will be on the Los Angeles Lakers’ free-agent radar

By Jason Reed

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 06: Goran Dragic #7 of the Miami Heat reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on March 06, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 06: Goran Dragic #7 of the Miami Heat reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on March 06, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Kim Klement – Pool/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Kim Klement – Pool/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. The Los Angeles Lakers are the best desintation FOR Goran Dragic

As Favale mentioned in his article, the Heat’s main focus seems to be 2021 cap space so they can make another splash and solidfy themselves as a true, elite, title favorite. The golden goose of that free-agent class is Giannis Antetokounmpo but the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Victor Oladipo, Rudy Gobert and even LeBron James (doubtful) will be or could be free agents.

That is what makes Dragic’s situation tricky. He could theoretically take a one-year deal (which Favale commented on) that will pay him more in one year but will not give him the long-term security. Plus, he would be missing out on this elite contender situation a year later anyway.

The Lakers, meanwhile, present a team that Dragic can join and instantly contend for a title. While the Lakers are not neccessarily cash heavy, they can take advantage of the mid-level exception to sign Dragic to a deal up to four years.

The Lakers can sign Dragic to a non-taxpayer MLE that is valued at four years, $39.8 million. That is not a bad payday for someone as old as Dragic and to be realistic, no team (outside of the Heat) is going to offer him more over a short-term contract.

So Dragic gets a multi-year guarantee, a good chunk of change over those four years and gets to be the third-best player on a legitimate title-contending team that very well could win the NBA Championship this season.

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Goran Dragic is a fantastic fit for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Lakers are a great desintation for Goran Dragic. That is why he will be on the Lakers’ radar.

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