Chicago Bulls: 4 free agent targets with mid-level exception

2) Chicago Bulls mid-level exception free agent targets: Goran Dragic

There’s a number of free agent targets that played with that solid Miami Heat team that made a run to the NBA Finals this year that the Bulls could go after this offseason. At the point guard position, one that really sticks out is the veteran 6-foot-3 and 190 pound 34-year-old Slovenian Goran Dragic.

The former second round pick of the San Antonio Spurs in the 2008 NBA Draft is a one-time NBA All-Star selection, 2013-14 All-NBA Team selection, and 2013-14 Most Improved Player of the Year. Dragic has played for three different teams over the course of his dozen-year long career in the NBA. He spent six seasons with the Phoenix Suns, six with the Heat, and two with the Houston Rockets.

During the shortened 2019-20 regular season, Dragic played in 59 games with the Heat (starting in three of them). He averaged 16.2 points per game, 3.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.2 blocks. And Dragic shot 44.1 percent from the field, 36.7 percent from beyond the arc, and 77.6 percent from the free-throw line.

During the special playoff run that Dragic had with the Heat, he played in 17 games (all of one that he started in). And he averaged a career-best in the playoffs with 19.1 points per game, 4.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.1 blocks. And he shot 44.4 percent from the field, 34.6 percent from beyond the arc, and 80.3 percent from the free-throw line in the playoffs.

Dragic had a large contract that runs up this year. He made just short of $20 million during the final year of his contract last season.