Point guard Goran Dragic signed a five-year, $90 million contract with the Miami Heat on Thursday.
“When we traded for Goran last season, we knew he was the type of player and person that we wanted to be part of our Heat culture,” Heat president Pat Riley said. “His pace, ability and vision for the game is the perfect complement to lead our team as we look to bring another championship to Miami. We are pleased he has re-signed and will wear the Heat uniform for years to come and make Miami his home.”
With Dragic, guard Dwyane Wade and forward Chris Bosh under contract next season, the Heat might move one of their veterans to avoid a massive “repeater” luxury tax fine. Center Chris Andersen and point guard Mario Chalmers are candidates to be dealt. The Heat could slide 2014 first-rounder Shabazz Napier into a backup role behind Dragic.
Dragic was acquired by the Heat from the Phoenix Suns, averaging 16.3 points, 4.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 1.00 steals and 33.8 minutes, while shooting 50.1 percent from the field for the season.
He led all guards and ranked 19th overall in the NBA in field goal percentage and also ranked among NBA leaders in minutes per game (29th), assists per game (31st) and scoring average (39th). Additionally, he set a single-season career high in offensive (81), defensive (193) and total (274) rebounds. He scored in double figures 68 times, including 27 games with at least 20 points and one 30-point performance
Dragic was the NBA’s Most Improved Player and All-NBA Third Team selection during the 2013-14 season, has appeared in 502 NBA regular-season games (266 starts) during his seven-year career and has averaged 12.2 points, 4.5 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 26.0 minutes while shooting 47.0 percent from the floor, 36.1 percent from three-point range and 75.1 percent from the foul line.