For the 9th in a row, Goran Dragic hosted his training camp in Lasko, Slovenia, and had an opportunity to talk with the local media.
The 37-year-old was asked about his future in the NBA and a team he would like to join. Dragic didn’t hide that the Miami Heat would be his favorite landing spot.
“The main desire is to return to Miami,” siol.net quotes Dragic. “Now everyone is waiting for Damian Lillard to decide where he will go next, so everyone is off to a low start. When this is known, the movement for the other players will open as well.”
“We are in talks with a few clubs, but much more will be known in a few days when the news will be released. You will see,” he added.
Dragic also named the main reasons for his wish to return to the Heat.
“My home is in Miami, I have both children who go to school there. It really all works out. I spent the best seven years of my career there, and I think returning to Miami would be the icing on the cake. That would really be something phenomenal. We’ll see,” Dragic said.
“It is necessary to understand that the NBA is a business, that only the results count in the end. It’s really been a phenomenal season for Miami, they reached the finals, and now they’ve already changed half the team. It’s a harsh reality that basketball players in the NBA know well. Today you can be in Miami, tomorrow somewhere in Memphis, that’s just the way it is,” he added.
Dragic played for the Heat since 2015, when he was traded to Miami, and stayed with the team until the end of the 2020-21 season before being involved in the Kyle Lowry trade.
During the 7 seasons with the Heat, Dragic averaged 16.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game in 391 appearances. He was also named the NBA All-Star during the 2017-18 season.
In a conversation during his training camp, Dragic also revealed he had knee surgery during the 2022-23 campaign.
“I played really well until the middle of the season, then I had problems with a knee injury, so after that, it was kind of all agreed that they would bring Patrick Beverley to Chicago, and I went to Milwaukee. Then I also underwent knee surgery, which until now no one knew,” Dragic said.
Nevertheless, Dragic assured he’s feeling ready and prepared for the upcoming season.
“It’s sometimes a little harder for me to keep up with the youngest ones at the camp because they really have a lot of energy, but what’s most important is that I’m mentally prepared, fresh, and my head is completely focused,” Dragic concluded.
