NBA: Suns trade Dragic to Heat

Disgruntled point guard Goran Dragic was traded by the Phoenix Suns to the Miami Heat on Thursday (Friday, PHL time).

Guard Zoran Dragic also was sent to the Heat in the deal. In return, the Suns received forward Danny Granger and first-round picks in 2017 and 2021 from Miami and forward John Salmons from the New Orleans Pelicans in a three-team trade. Salmons will be waived.

The Pelicans acquired guard Norris Cole, center Justin Hamilton and forward Shawne Williams from the Heat.

Goran Dragic had been on the trading block in recent days because of his role in Phoenix's crowded backcourt and said he would not re-sign with the Suns when he reaches free agency this summer.

After practice on Wednesday, Dragic told reporters that he did not trust Phoenix's management. On Tuesday, agent Bill Duffy told the Suns that they would be unable to keep Dragic, and reports surfaced that Miami along with the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers are his preferred destinations this season.

Dragic will turn 29 in May and averaged 16.2 points and 4.1 assists in 52 games this season. Last year, he averaged a career-high 20.3 points and 5.9 assists in 76 games as the Suns improved by 23 games and won 48 games, barely missing the postseason.

The Heat will be hoping that Dragic can improve an offense that ranks 28th in scoring at 92.8 points per game. Miami also ranks 29th in assists at 20.1 per game.

Granger signed with the Heat last July a few days before forward LeBron James returned to Cleveland. A first-round pick of the Indiana Pacers in 2005, Granger is making $2.1 million this season and has a player option for the same amount for next season.

The 31-year-old appeared in 30 games for the Heat (22-30), who are currently in eighth place in the Eastern Conference. He averaged 6.3 points while playing 20 minutes per game. - Reuters