Raptors still hoping to trade Goran Dragic

How long will Dragic be in Toronto? That remains to be seen. By all accounts, the team is still hoping to move him ahead of the trade deadline, extracting an asset or two from a club that’s gearing up for a title run. The odds of him being a Raptor …

How long will Dragic be in Toronto? That remains to be seen. By all accounts, the team is still hoping to move him ahead of the trade deadline, extracting an asset or two from a club that’s gearing up for a title run. The odds of him being a Raptor past February are low. Even still, there’s plenty that he can offer a young team like the Raptors.

Source: TSN

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
From earlier: Kyle Lowry says he sought Goran Dragic permission for Heat No. 7, ‘out of straight respect’ sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h…5:16 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Kyle Lowry says he asked Goran Dragic for No. 7 with the Heat ‘out of straight respect’ miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… And more stuff from Day 2 of training camp – 4:46 PM
Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Nurse spoke to Dragic shortly after the trade, never got the sense that he didn’t want to be here. NN says Goran has been amenable to whatever role they want to give him. “He’s been fantastic… Very enjoyable to talk to, he’s got a super high IQ, loves the game, competes to win” – 2:20 PM
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
Nick Nurse confirms: Goran Dragic won’t be playing for Raptors 905 this season. – 2:07 PM
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
Chris Boucher on Goran Dragic: ‘That’s a really good vet.’ – 1:50 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
NEW: Kyle Lowry says he asked Goran Dragic for No. 7 with the Heat ‘out of straight respect’ miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… And more stuff from Day 2 of training camp – 1:48 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Kyle Lowry says he sought Goran Dragic permission for Heat No. 7, ‘out of straight respect’; Dragic now No. 1 in Toronto. sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… “No other number means anything to me but seven.” – 1:27 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Of calling Dragic to ask for No. 7 with the Heat, Lowry said today: “I just feel what he did here for this organization, and for me it’s just calling a friend and saying, ‘Listen, no disrespect. If that’s cool with you. No other number means anything to me but seven.'” – 1:11 PM
Shandel Richardson @ShandelRich
Nice move by former Heat guard Goran Dragic earlier this week #miamiheat si.com/nba/heat/miami…10:28 AM
Ryan Wolstat @WolstatSun
Goran Dragic > Kenny Anderson, Alonzo Mourning – 6:07 PM
Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Just had a chance to meet and chat with Goran Dragic. Very personable and professional guy. Knows he didn’t make the best first impression with Raps fans but genuinely feels bad about it and seems excited to be here now. I think people are really going to like him. – 1:24 PM
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
“He’s hilarious, he’s so funny … I really like him. He’s got a bright future” — Dragic on Scottie Barnes. – 12:02 PM
Eric Koreen @ekoreen
Asked who has impressed him, Dragic answers Scottie Barnes: “He’s funny. He’s hilarious. … I really like him. … He’s got a bright future, I can already see it.” – 12:01 PM
Aaron Rose @AaronBenRose
Dragic says Scottie Barnes is hilarious – 12:01 PM
Eric Smith @Eric__Smith
Goran Dragic says he chose to wear #1 over #7 because Kyle Lowry’s #7 will be in the rafters in Toronto one day. Plus he wore #1 before (when in Phoenix) & he had a good season. – 11:59 AM
Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Dragic will be wearing No. 1 with the Raptors. He said he was happy to give his friend and former teammate Kyle Lowry his blessing to wear No. 7 with Miami and never considered asking him to do the same, understands what Lowry means to the Raps franchise. – 11:58 AM
Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Goran Dragic says he’s been in Toronto for a couple weeks, getting to know the city and his new teammates. He’s looking forward to being a mentor to the younger guys, wants to do for them what Steve Nash did for him in Phoenix. pic.twitter.com/nZQoLz7uX611:54 AM

Aaron Rose @AaronBenRose
Dragic says he’s good friends with Kyle Lowry from their days in Houston – 11:53 AM
Eric Koreen @ekoreen
Goran Dragic is wearing number 1. – 11:51 AM
Ryan Wolstat @WolstatSun
Now it’s time for not a Dallas Maverick (yet at least) Goran Dragic. – 11:51 AM
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
‘He’s been a mentor, he’s showing he can still play … and we’re going to need some of that this year’ … Webster on Dragic – 10:11 AM
Aaron Rose @AaronBenRose
Bobby Webster says Goran Dragic has been a professional ever since the trade. – 10:10 AM

More on this storyline

The Raptors acquired Dragic in exchange for Lowry and his status with them has been reported as potentially headed towards a buyout. While Dragic is too talented to simply be waived, the Raptors will be hard-pressed to find a team eager to pay him $19 million this season. He could be headed towards a buyout if he’s still on the roster past thetrade deadline. Alternatively, he could be used as salary ballast as part of a larger deal and then subsequently bought out by his new team. -via HoopsHype / September 25, 2021