12:21pm: A source who spoke with Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel wouldn’t rule out the possibility that the Celtics will try to flip Dragic in another trade rather than waive him (Twitter link). Either way, he won’t be playing for Boston. The Celtics can’t aggregate Dragic’s salary with others in a swap for two months, though they can work a trade that sends him out by himself.
11:17am: The Celtics intend to release the newly acquired Zoran Dragic, a league source tells Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe (Twitter link). That means the Celtics are prepared to eat Dragic’s salary of more than $1.706MM, assuming he goes unclaimed off waivers. The Heat sent along enough cash in the trade that sent Dragic to Boston to cover his salary, however. Phoenix, which originally signed Dragic, advanced $200K of Dragic’s salary, notes former Nets executive Bobby Marks (on Twitter), so the cash from Miami will take care of the rest.
Dragic, the brother of Goran Dragic, saw action in just 16 games split between the Suns and Heat last season. Zoran came with his brother in the trade that sent them to Miami at the February deadline, but Goran was apparently on board with today’s move that sent his brother to Boston. The Heat are ineligible to re-sign Zoran until next July because of the trade. This season was to have been the last on Goran’s two-year contract, and the Heat can’t sign him until its scheduled expiration.
The Celtics had little room for the extra player, as they had already been in line to carry 16 guaranteed contracts before today’s trade. Boston will instead pocket the 2020 second-round pick it acquired in the transaction, adding it to its robust stockpile of future draft assets. It’s the eighth extra second-rounder the Celtics have coming their way.
Do you think Zoran Dragic will latch on with another NBA team this season? Leave a comment to let us know.
I thought they could aggregate his salaries with others because he came to Celtics by himself and not part of a larger trade???
I would assume the Heat don’t think Zoran will improve his shooting, and therefore decided to get his money off the tax. He also has lapses defensively. I like his game. If he gets playing time somewhere, I think he can contribute as he gets more comfortable. I like Tyler johnson and Josh Richardson better though lol
Maybe philly should take a look?
I believe he may be picked up by a guard hungry team. There are quite a few! I don’t know what his attitude is but he seems to be an adequate player in the right circumstances. Wish him luck at his next stop!
What was the point in picking him up in trade if the Celts are just waiving him. Maybe I’m missing something here !!
the pick and they gave us money to pay him so he was free