Could Goran Dragic-to-Boston be a legitimate possibility?
The Celtics are an unlikely landing spot for the Phoenix Suns’ star point guard, but they’re certainly not out of the race, ESPN’s Marc Stein reported Wednesday.
“Sources say that the Celtics, in particular, are emerging as a dark-horse contender for Dragic,” Stein wrote, “given the numerous future draft picks Boston president Danny Ainge has amassed in recent months to offer Phoenix as well as his strong relationship with Suns general manager Ryan McDonough.”
McDonough spent 10 years on Ainge’s staff in Boston, and the two collaborated on a trade earlier this season that sent forward Brandan Wright to Phoenix in exchange for a protected first-round pick.
Dragic, unhappy with having to share backcourt minutes with Eric Bledsoe and Isaiah Thomas, reportedly wants out of Phoenix. His list of desired destinations includes the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat, but the Celtics, Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings are pursuing Dragic, as well, according to Stein’s sources.
“All remain interested in pursuing a trade for him before the deadline, confident that they could sway Dragic to consider them long-term once they get him,” Stein wrote.
Dragic is set to hit free agency this offseason. He’s started all 52 games in which he’s played this season but has seen sizable drops in both scoring (20.3 points per game to 16.2) and rebounding (5.9 per game to 4.1) from his 2013-14 totals.
UPDATE (2:15 p.m.): The Suns reportedly are focusing more on the teams that Dragic does not want to go to than the ones he does.
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