GORAN DRAGIC? UFA to POR

[Blazinaway]

Goran has been mentioned here by Wiz and others, and perhaps is the most "likely" PG we would have a good chance to get in FA, Dwill is very, very low odds IMO. As a starter with Lowry out in March and into April he is putting up very good numbers.

Two questions:

1. Do you think this "breakout" is for real and should/will we target him?

2. And how much would he likely cost?

[DusterBuster]

1. His "breakout" is something he's been doing throughout his career when he's gotten chances to start. So yes, I do think it's real and yes, he'd be a great target. That said, I probably have him as my #3 target behind Williams and Nash.

2. I'm guess he's gonna go for a little more than the MLE. Probably something in the 6mil range.

[DaVoiceMaster]

If you look at Dragic as your PGOTF (the reason to sign him to a contract), why is he behind Nash on your list Duster?

Couple of questions cuz I haven't watched Houston play this season...

#1 - Is Houston any better with Lowry than with Dragic?
#2 - What is Lowry's salary (length and dollar amount)?
#3 - Is there a chance Houston keeps Dragic and trades Lowry instead?

[Blazinaway]

1. His "breakout" is something he's been doing throughout his career when he's gotten chances to start. So yes, I do think it's real and yes, he'd be a great target. That said, I probably have him as my #3 target behind Williams and Nash.

2. I'm guess he's gonna go for a little more than the MLE. Probably something in the 6mil range.

Interesting that you would rather have nash then Goran for a possible 6-7 mil per, I would take Goran because of Nash's age which I think is a significant risk because of possible injuries. I can see both sides, that's just my preference

[Blazinaway]

If you look at Dragic as your PGOTF (the reason to sign him to a contract), why is he behind Nash on your list Duster?

Couple of questions cuz I haven't watched Houston play this season...

#1 - Is Houston any better with Lowry than with Dragic?
#2 - What is Lowry's salary (length and dollar amount)?
#3 - Is there a chance Houston keeps Dragic and trades Lowry instead?

There has been a thread or two on the trade board where some HOU fans would trade Lowry for a high draft pick and keep Goran, and POR was in that discussion as well.

[portlandpilot]

I would probably be happy trading our pick for lowry

[DusterBuster]

In all honesty, I put Nash over Goran because I'm biased toward Nash, he's my favorite NBA player.

But trying to be unbiased, I do think that Nash will be a better overall PG than Goran over the next 3 years. Is he a long-term answer? No, obviously not, but if the Blazers are "dreaming big" and want to challenge for a Top 4 spot in the West soon and possibly get out of the first round, Nash is the guy who can give you that, Goran (with all do respect) can't.

Again, I think Goran is really good and would flourish here for a long time, but I think we'd be looking at a 6th seed and struggle to make it out of the first round without major improvements from a guy like Batum and a great starting C.

[DusterBuster]

Interesting that you would rather have nash then Goran for a possible 6-7 mil per, I would take Goran because of Nash's age which I think is a significant risk because of possible injuries. I can see both sides, that's just my preference

And I totally understand where your coming from with that. Goran is gonna cost around 6-7 mil for the next 4 years or so, whereas Nash will cost around 10mil for the next 3 years (possibly with a TO for the 3rd year.

As far as the injuries go, Nash keeps himself in pristine condition. The rumor of his back getting worse came from the NY media and was dismissed completely by Nash himself. So I'm not too worried about injuries, but again, I can understand the concern.

[Blazinaway]

Interesting that you would rather have nash then Goran for a possible 6-7 mil per, I would take Goran because of Nash's age which I think is a significant risk because of possible injuries. I can see both sides, that's just my preference

And I totally understand where your coming from with that. Goran is gonna cost around 6-7 mil for the next 4 years or so, whereas Nash will cost around 10mil for the next 3 years (possibly with a TO for the 3rd year.

As far as the injuries go, Nash keeps himself in pristine condition. The rumor of his back getting worse came from the NY media and was dismissed completely by Nash himself. So I'm not too worried about injuries, but again, I can understand the concern.

and i would be perfectly happy with either, if we can get an FA C as well (Hawes?) and have the two draft picks and keep or trade them, i'd think we'd make a very big improvenment from this yr and have a solid retool already done.

[Brandon-Clyde]

I would base choosing between Nash and Dragic based in part upon whom we get in the draft. If we draft Kendall Marshall Nash might be a better option as we only need a starting pg for 2-3 seasons while Marshal develops. If we do not get a pgof in the draft then Dragic as a possible long term answer might be a better option

[DusterBuster]

I would base choosing between Nash and Dragic based in part upon whom we get in the draft. If we draft Kendall Marshall Nash might be a better option as we only need a starting pg for 2-3 seasons while Marshal develops. If we do not get a pgof in the draft then Dragic as a possible long term answer might be a better option

This would be a good move imo.

Another reason for Nash over Dragic is what I see when I look at what the Blazers have been saying publicly. They want to retool, not rebuild. That means they want to be back in the hunt for a high playoff spot next year, not two or three years from now. While I think Dragic could put up big numbers, I don't think he can take a team from being a 10th seed to a 4th seed like Nash could. He could help fight for that 8-6 range, but Paul Allen and co have had enough of that. They want to be a top team in the west and they don't want to wait a handful of years.

You look at that Suns team. There is no reason that team should be .500 right now with the scrubs they have. Outside of Gortat and (I guess) Dudley, that team is awful. You take Nash off that team and they are battling the Hornets for worst record in the West. I think you'd even find most Suns fans agree with that.

[zzaj]

There are pluses and minuses with both Nash and Goran.

One thing's for certain...Nash would absolutely rule the floor and be a respected veteran voice in the locker room. That is a VERY big asset to have in your PG. Dragic might put up good numbers, but I don't know that he would have that same kind of impact and dynamic amongst the players.

One main plus with Dragic is that if he does develop he can be kept or he becomes a nice trade asset for the team in a couple years.

[PDXKnight]

1. Do you think this "breakout" is for real and should/will we target him?

Yes, I don't think its a fluke and I think he's a solid player who could potential make an all-star game or two. I see a lot of talent there, and I find it hard to believe his recent success is a fluke.

2. And how much would he likely cost?

I'm guessing 8.5 million a year min and 10 max. I think there are teams willing to pay, so he will come at a premium. Honestly I'd rather have Dragic than Batum, but that's me. Fortunately with Batum at least, keeping him isn't too much of a question mark as long as its reasonable.

[PDXKnight]

And as for the Nash/ Dragic argument how can this even be an argument? With Dragic you have a young player with room for improvement. Dragic probably has another 5 years of improvement and another 5 years of decent basketball in him beyond that. Nash's career is almost over, Dragic's is just beginning and b/c I think he can be the man we're seeing in houston, I would be almost as excited as if we got Deron with Dragic.

[blazers73]

I'm trying to think of other teams that would go after Dragic.
I can't think of too many so hopefully we can get him for slightely over the MLE. Maybe 7 mil.
I'd be down for bringing Lowry here. I've always liked his game especially his defense.

[PDXKnight]

^Lowry would be nice too, but at 5-6 million (or I also heard 3.5 from somebody), Houston probably wouldn't go out of their way to trade him.. He's worth a lot more than that, that's for darn sure.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

I am a little more skeptical that Goran will continue his hot streak or has much more room to develop. 15/8 seems pretty reasonable given starter minutes though. Solid starter that should maintain his value for quite some time.


Nash is an option if we plan to go all in. Maybe if we had Wallace and moved Batum instead. Portland would have trouble putting the pieces together around him quickly though, particularly at center. It would probably cost us our two lottery picks.

I gotta say, if there is an opportunity in our rebuild to buy a championship (like Boston), this might be it, but you have to go big and be lucky. Otherwise, the safe route is to get Dragic.

Also, I think Dragic will be one of the main beneficiaries of too much capspace. The free agent AND draft crop are PG weak, and Dragic is playing very well for a new contract, which HE get's to choose because he's unrestricted. The stars are lining up for him, he might have landed himself as the #2 free agent PG, probably getting around 8-10 million. Because I think he will get more than Lowry is paid, I doubt Houston keeps him.

[rasta_marley]

I am not for getting Nash, reasons have been pretty much talked about, Dragic could be a nice addition if he doesn't cost tooo much.

[call.me.dude]

I love Dragic, always did. Over the years and with Steve Nash's help, he has made great strides in his ability to run a team. But he's still more of a drive and dish guy in the halfcourt. He's still at his best in transition.
I have taken a lot of flak recently for doubting his ability to continue to consistently do what he is doing right now. I'm still not sure he can do it, although it's clear he's at least a very good backup. I also think he is good enough to be a solid starter, I'd just rather have him come off the bench. He thrives as a starter and sucks off the bench you say?
I say he thrives when given the ball, minutes and confidence. Doesn't matter if he starts or not.
So since I don't believe a Dragic/Matthews backcourt (as much as I love both of them) won't get us very far, my plan is this:
Draft Kendall Marshall AND sign Goran Dragic.

Marshall is the perfect compliment to our starters (finishers that can't create for themselves let alone others) as he is a floor general that can get other guys the ball in their sweet spots, direct the offense and just make everyone around him better.

Now you take Dragic, bring him off the bench, tell him he's your version of Ginobili, and let him and Marshall share ballhandling/playmaking duties. Kendall Marshall can still be very effective even if he doesn't have the ball in his hands at all times. Just look at the way Barea and Kidd played together on last year's Mavs. I think Dragic is sort of like a bigger Barea (which is really good. Ginobili is a little too optimistic obviously.), a guy with blazing speed that can get to the basket and make plays off of that but is also able to hit outside shots and really excels as that secondary (or 1b) ballhandler/creator. Dragic could be that on steroids and with better defense. Marshall reminds me a lot of old man Kidd with that amazing BB IQ, court vision, leadership and passing wizardry. Like Kidd, his IQ is high enough that he can still have a great impact on a game even if he doesn't have the ball in his hands. He's not really as ball-dominant a player as most people think. His 3pt shooting is not as good as Kidd's yet, but contrary to popular belief he's actually a solid shooter, especially in catch-and-shoot situations. And like Kidd, he can set up a lot of those plays for Dragic/Barea. One possible play I can't help but think about would be LMA setting a screen away from the ball for Dragic with Marshall handling the ball and setting them up. That would really create a lot of great possibilities.

Another example that a backcourt of two PGs (one being a floor general type) can work is Rubio-Barea. The main reason PG duos like that don't get a lot of playing time is mostly due to both PGs being undersized to guard shooting guards. That wouldn't be a problem with Dragic and Marshall though, as both have the size to guard most shooting guards, especially backups.

I think a guard rotation that has Marshall, Dragic and Matthews all averaging around 30 mpg and E. Williams getting the leftover minutes would be pretty solid. Dragic still has a lot of potential, as has Williams. Matthews could still improve and Marshall will become a very solid and underrated PG IMO. It's not the absolute best thing that could happen (which would be getting a star guard), but it's a pretty good and realistic option.

[Goldbum]

^^^ I agree with most of that Dude. I don't think Marshall will be ready for 30 minutes a game for a couple years though.