Word is Dragic was determined to spend at least a week evaluating the teams chasing him the hardest (Milwaukee, Brooklyn, Chicago, Golden State and the LA Clippers) and one source close to the process described as him as “really open-minded” to the pitches he’s getting. The Bucks notably have a significant backcourt role to offer, on top of their proven championship stock, while the Nets have Coach Steve Nash, who mentored Dragic in Phoenix when the Slovenian broke into the NBA, entrenched as their lead recruiter. League sources say Nash registered key aspects of the Nets’ bid to Dragic on Friday as Brooklyn also maintains hope that Kyrie Irving will be more available for the stretch run if the vaccine mandate that has ruled him out of home games all season is finally lifted in New York City.
Source: Marc Stein @ marcstein.substack.com
Source: Marc Stein @ marcstein.substack.com
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
Nets coach Steve Nash has delivered key pieces of the team’s pitch to darling of the buyout market Goran Dragic, league sources say.
More coverage of the Dragic chase and around-the-league notes out soon here via my latest This Week In Basketball column: marcstein.Substack.com – 10:38 AM
Nets coach Steve Nash has delivered key pieces of the team’s pitch to darling of the buyout market Goran Dragic, league sources say.
More coverage of the Dragic chase and around-the-league notes out soon here via my latest This Week In Basketball column: marcstein.Substack.com – 10:38 AM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Steve Nash on the #Nets‘ rough fourth quarter in loss to the #Wizards: “They made some big shots. Ish Smith made a bunch of shots down the stretch. They made, we missed. It was just a tough night.” – 10:19 PM
Steve Nash on the #Nets‘ rough fourth quarter in loss to the #Wizards: “They made some big shots. Ish Smith made a bunch of shots down the stretch. They made, we missed. It was just a tough night.” – 10:19 PM
Dave Early @DavidEarly
“I think that there’s ways that we can make it all fit together….It wasn’t ideal before we got those guys so this we think has put us in a better position to make the pieces fit.”
-Steve Nash on potentially deploying some Andre Drummond-Ben Simmons (less spacing) minutes pic.twitter.com/A7zVcVqAoG – 10:16 PM
“I think that there’s ways that we can make it all fit together….It wasn’t ideal before we got those guys so this we think has put us in a better position to make the pieces fit.”
-Steve Nash on potentially deploying some Andre Drummond-Ben Simmons (less spacing) minutes pic.twitter.com/A7zVcVqAoG – 10:16 PM
Dave Early @DavidEarly
Steve Nash says they’ll look for ways to make it work when Ben Simmons and Andre Drummond share the floor eventually. – 10:01 PM
Steve Nash says they’ll look for ways to make it work when Ben Simmons and Andre Drummond share the floor eventually. – 10:01 PM
Dave Early @DavidEarly
“I don’t have any clarity.”
– Steve Nash, regarding timetables for Kevin’s Durant and Ben Simmons. – 10:00 PM
“I don’t have any clarity.”
– Steve Nash, regarding timetables for Kevin’s Durant and Ben Simmons. – 10:00 PM
Dave Early @DavidEarly
Another game Steve Nash is talking about Ish Smith hitting shots to really hurt his Nets. Says they missed James Johnson. – 9:59 PM
Another game Steve Nash is talking about Ish Smith hitting shots to really hurt his Nets. Says they missed James Johnson. – 9:59 PM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
#Nets have had a bunch of defensive breakdowns here to start the fourth before Steve Nash calls a timeout. They trail the #Wizards 86-80 with 10:24 to play. – 9:24 PM
#Nets have had a bunch of defensive breakdowns here to start the fourth before Steve Nash calls a timeout. They trail the #Wizards 86-80 with 10:24 to play. – 9:24 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Quick timeout there by Steve Nash as the Wizards go up, 86-80, at the 10:24 mark of the 4th quarter. – 9:22 PM
Quick timeout there by Steve Nash as the Wizards go up, 86-80, at the 10:24 mark of the 4th quarter. – 9:22 PM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Ever since an early-season experiment that failed miserably, the #Nets have steadfastly refused to go big. For example Griffin has played just 14 minutes w/ Sharpe all season. But since the trade, Steve Nash has tried him w/ both Drummond and Aldridge for stretches. – 8:22 PM
Ever since an early-season experiment that failed miserably, the #Nets have steadfastly refused to go big. For example Griffin has played just 14 minutes w/ Sharpe all season. But since the trade, Steve Nash has tried him w/ both Drummond and Aldridge for stretches. – 8:22 PM
Dave Early @DavidEarly
Steve Nash says he’s not sure if Joe Harris will be ready for on court practice work post All Star Break. I get the sense whenever Joe is ready for that the team and player will make a determination if he needs another ankle surgery or he can begin ramp up for eventual return. – 6:08 PM
Steve Nash says he’s not sure if Joe Harris will be ready for on court practice work post All Star Break. I get the sense whenever Joe is ready for that the team and player will make a determination if he needs another ankle surgery or he can begin ramp up for eventual return. – 6:08 PM
Dave Early @DavidEarly
“He’s been open… to take on board some of the teachings and the things that we’re asking him to do and I think that’s really opened things up for him, made him seem much more variety to his game….”
-Steve Nash discusses Cam Thomas’ willingness to learn pic.twitter.com/A8Ax7y6tem – 6:05 PM
“He’s been open… to take on board some of the teachings and the things that we’re asking him to do and I think that’s really opened things up for him, made him seem much more variety to his game….”
-Steve Nash discusses Cam Thomas’ willingness to learn pic.twitter.com/A8Ax7y6tem – 6:05 PM
More on this storyline
Marc Stein: The Warriors are among the teams in the crowded mix for buyout market darling Goran Dragic, league sources say. Milwaukee, Chicago, Brooklyn and the Clippers are also vying for the former All-Star guard. More coming soon: marcstein.Substack.com -via Twitter @TheSteinLine / February 18, 2022
As Wojnarowski reported, the Bucks have been very aggressive in trying to sign Goran Dragić. “They need guard depth. There’s an opportunity for Goran Dragić to come in, play some meaningful minutes for the Bucks and certainly have a chance to have a run in the playoffs. … Dragic, I think, is closer to a decision but Milwaukee’s been aggressive and they can offer him, not just a chance at being a part of the defending champions, but a chance to play a pretty significant role and I think that’s really been their sell to him, Mike Budenholzer and Jon Horst, as they talk to him.” -via Behind The Buck Pass / February 18, 2022
In that report, Wojnarowski does clarify that the Bucks aren’t the only team after Dragic (as you’d expect). The Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, and even the Los Angeles Lakers have all been involved with Dragić as well. -via Behind The Buck Pass / February 18, 2022