Heat Rumors: Dragic, Spoelstra, James Johnson
The Heat should wait to see how the draft plays out before deciding whether to trade Goran Dragic, writes Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. Miami is tied for third in our latest Reverse Standings, which gives the organization a decent shot at landing one of the top point guards in the draft such as UCLA’s Lonzo Ball or Washington’s Markelle Fultz. However, Dragic will make $17MM next season and the Heat probably couldn’t find a similar talent in free agency for the same price. Also, he could be a valuable piece to keep in place if team president Pat Riley’s plans for a quick rebuilding project work out. Winderman concludes that Dragic should be dealt this season only if a team is willing to pay a premium price in return.
There’s more this morning out of Miami:
- Dragic has been dealing with soreness in his back for more than a week, according to Anthony Chiang of The Palm Beach Post. The problem began with back spasms in a December 23rd game, and the pain has been lingering ever since. Dragic sat out Friday’s game and is hoping a prolonged absence won’t be necessary. “The back is kind of tricky,” he said. “The only thing that I can say is I’ll go day-by-day and see how I’m going to feel.”
- Coach Erik Spoelstra sees progress even though the Heat closed out 2016 with a 10-24 record, Chiang writes in a separate story. Spoelstra has tried to build a winner without longtime stars Dwyane Wade, who signed with Chicago over the summer, and Chris Bosh, who has probably played his last game in Miami because of blood clot issues. Despite a revamped roster, Spoelstra doesn’t like to consider this a rebuilding year. “This is my 22nd year with the Heat. We’ve been to the Finals five times and won three championships,” he said. “So what about all those other years? There’s a lot of other years that you’re not winning it or you’re not the last team or where you want to be. So, whatever word you want to use, we’ve had to do it before several times — retool, rebuild — and we’ve done it quicker than most. That’s because of the commitment to developing and building these standards.”
- James Johnson has played well enough to earn consideration as the starting power forward, Winderman contends in a separate column. Spoelstra has been reluctant to make the move because Johnson has been a valuable member of the second unit. Johnson will be back on the free agent market again in July after signing a one-year, $4MM contract with Miami.
Rondo’s Future With Bulls In Doubt
Bulls point guard Rajon Rondo asked for a meeting with GM Gar Forman after Saturday’s game to discuss his future with the team, writes Vincent Goodwill of CSNChicago.
Saturday was the first full game of Rondo’s benching after being pulled in the second half Friday. He wasn’t used at all as Chicago suffered a 20-point loss at home to the Bucks to fall to 16-18.
“Gar and I will have a talk,” Rondo said after the game. “We’ll talk tonight and go from there. I don’t know if it’s right now, maybe the next 30, 18, 45 minutes. Tonight, before ’17 [the clock strikes midnight].”
The uncertainty surrounding the 11-year veteran comes six months after he signed a two-year, $27.4MM deal with the Bulls. Rondo remains productive, leading the league in assists last season and averaging 7.1 per game this year, but has changed teams three times in the past 24 months.
He answered “absolutely” Saturday night when asked if he thought he has done enough in his career for the Bulls to send him to another organization if they don’t plan to play him. A source told Goodwill that a buyout has not yet been discussed. Rondo has just a $3MM guarantee for next season.
“I’m gonna explode…No, I’m not,” said Rondo. “I’m gonna continue to work, get some work in, play some one on one. Take care of my body, lift and give these young guys as much advice while I’m on the bench.”
Rondo met Saturday morning with coach Fred Hoiberg, who said he looked “slow” during the last five games and questioned Rondo’s health. Rondo responded that he has never felt better at this point of a season.