Goran Dragic: I was waiting for Miami to open something up, I really wanted to finish my career with the Heat
Even before announcing his retirement following 15 NBA seasons last week, Goran Dragic was essentially only open to signing with one team. “I was waiting for Miami to open something up because I really wanted to finish my career with the Heat because this is my favorite organization,” Dragic, 37, said. “I had the best moments in my career there. But it did not happen. I understand this is part of the business. Then I just made a decision to pull the plug.”
Source: Miami Herald
Source: Miami Herald
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NEW: Goran Dragic on his decision to retire, why he wanted to end his career with Heat, why Heat will always be his ‘home team,’ his future basketball plans and more miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… Dragic: “Miami is my team that I consider the main team in my career, the home team.” – 11:16 AM
NEW: Goran Dragic on his decision to retire, why he wanted to end his career with Heat, why Heat will always be his ‘home team,’ his future basketball plans and more miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… Dragic: “Miami is my team that I consider the main team in my career, the home team.” – 11:16 AM
More on this storyline
While working out in Miami the past few months to remain ready for a potential return to the NBA, Goran Dragic realized he was ready to retire. “When you’re playing, you miss a lot of time with the kids,” Dragic said to the Miami Herald, referring to his son Mateo and daughter Victoria. “Every day, I was taking the kids to school, bringing them back, taking them to practice and then I just realized that I lost so much time with my kids.” -via Miami Herald / January 11, 2024
Dragic wanted to end his NBA career with the Heat, where he spent seven seasons before being traded to the Toronto Raptors as part of the Kyle Lowry deal during the 2021 offseason. But the Heat’s plan and Dragic’s desire to return didn’t align, with the Heat set to continue its homestand on Friday against the Orlando Magic (8 p.m., Bally Sports Sun) after falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder 128-120 at Kaseya Center on Wednesday. “We talked with Spo a little bit, Pat and those guys,” Dragic said of conversations with Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and Heat president Pat Riley. “Probably they wanted to go in a different direction.” -via Miami Herald / January 11, 2024
Dragic, who was drafted in the second round in 2008, appeared in one All-Star Game during his NBA career, and it came in 2018 as a member of the Heat. “I have nothing but respect for Micky [Arison], Pat, Spo. I love those guys,” said Dragic, who plans to remain in Miami even in retirement. “They gave me everything when I was here. For me, Miami is my team that I consider the main team in my career, the home team. “Even if I signed with the Heat or somebody else, this would be probably my last season anyway. That’s how I felt in my soul. I’m really happy with my career. I achieved more than I imagined. It’s been a hell of a ride.” -via Miami Herald / January 11, 2024