Will the Dallas Mavericks sign Goran Dragic in the 2022 offseason?

The Dallas Mavericks lost the first two games of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Phoenix Suns, and they returned home needing a victory. Their defense improved and it took a total team effort to win Game 3. Luka Doncic narrowly missed a triple-double as five players scored at least 14 points on Friday night.

The Mavs have drawn plenty of visitors for their playoff contests. The Knicks brass joined star Julius Randle to watch Game 1 of the team’s first-round series against the Utah Jazz. Current Orlando Magic head coach and former Mavericks assistant Jamahl Mosley was spotted with a couple of his players at Game 3, but the American Airlines Center had some special guests on May 6.

Goran Dragic and Mavericks star Luka Doncic have a lot in common, including sharing the same agent. They are both Slovenia and helped their country win EuroBasket 2017. Dragic joined Bill Duffy at the American Airlines Center for Game 3 to support his friend.

Will Goran Dragic sign with the Dallas Mavericks this offseason?

The 6’3 guard missed the majority of this season after being traded to the Raptors last summer. Dragic did not want to play in Toronto, so he sat out until the trade deadline when he dealt to the Spurs only to be bought out. The Dragon made his desire to play next to Luka clear, but Dallas did not have room after dealing Kristaps Porzingis for Spencer Dinwiddie.

Instead, Dragic signed with the Nets where the 36-year-old averaged 10.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in the playoffs as Brooklyn was swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round. He is a bench option at this point in his career, but The Dragon can still play.

Will the Dallas Mavericks go after the unrestricted free agent this summer? Here is the case for and against before reaching a verdict on what the organization should do.

Case for the Dallas Mavericks signing Goran Dragic this offseason

Luka Doncic admires his friend (subscription required) and countryman. They have known each other since Doncic’s youth, and the two guards would love to pair up. Dragic is 36 years old and his NBA career is winding down, so next season could be their final chance to play together.

The 6’3 guard can still be productive on the court. He is best suited for a 20 to 25-minute per game role off the bench as a secondary ball-handling option. The Dragon helped the Heat reach the NBA Finals inside the bubble, and he averaged 16.0 points per game in the 2021 playoffs for Miami. There is still some juice left in the tank, but his playing time needs to be monitored closely over the 82-game regular season.

Dragic would be the perfect option to round out the bench in Dallas. Trey Burke has a player option this summer. If he declines it, Dragic would be a natural replacement that could provide leadership and a strong voice in the locker room beyond his on-court play as the Mavericks look to contend for the title in 2023.

They need more veterans on their roster with playoff experience, and fans know that Goran Dragic is comfortable playing off Doncic. It would be a natural fit, and The Dragon is likely willing to sign for the veteran minimum in Dallas.

Case against the Dallas Mavericks signing Goran Dragic this offseason

Dragic is 36 years old, and he has played in just 166 regular-season games over the last four years combined. The injuries are beginning to pile up for the veteran as he been on the floor in just over 53 percent of the possible contests since 2018. Dallas would have to watch his minutes and games closely, so he would be available come playoff time.

There will likely be a strong market for The Dragon this summer. He is an unrestricted free agent, and multiple contending teams were interested after he was bought out following the trade from Toronto to San Antonio. The Nets will want him back, and Dragic has a close relationship with Brooklyn head coach Steve Nash. Signing him away from the Nets may not be a given for Dallas.

The Mavericks will be over the cap starting this summer as Luka’s supermax extension kicks in, so they can only afford to offer a veteran minimum contract. If Dragic’s price rises above that level, Dallas should move on to other options.

There is some risk in signing Goran Dragic. The Mavericks traded for J.J. Redick in 2021, and he could just never get healthy enough to contribute before retiring at the end of the season. It is the potential downside of acquiring a veteran, but they still make an impact in the locker room and on the bench.

Should the Dallas Mavericks sign Goran Dragic this offseason?

Dragic is the perfect piece to round out the Mavericks roster this summer as long as he is willing to accept a bench role that is not a guaranteed part of the nightly rotation. The 6’3 guard will need nights off and the matchups could dictate that it is just not the game to play the Dragon.

The Mavs will be searching for the right pieces to put around Luka Doncic this summer. Who is better as an eighth or ninth man than one of his best friends and a proven playoff performer? Yes, Dragic’s age is a concern, but he has played well in the postseason in two of the last three years.

Goran Dragic wants to play for the Mavs, but is he willing to do it on a veteran minimum one-year deal? Dallas would be wise to offer it this summer as they look to finalize their roster.

Dragic would be behind Doncic, Jalen Brunson (if he re-signs), and Spencer Dinwiddie in the guard rotation, but the Mavs have seen the value of putting playmakers on the floor next to Luka. The veteran guard would be just another option to use come playoff time.

Goran Dragic is one of the many names to watch this summer as the Dallas Mavericks look to jump into title contention. Will they sign the veteran free agent? He would love to play with Luka Doncic, but can the two sides work out a deal? Stay tuned.