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The Miami Heat have picked up the $19.4 million team option for veteran PG Goran Dragic, per Shams Charania. Dragic initially signed on to the two-year deal back in November with the first year being worth $18 million.
The Miami Heat are picking up guard Goran Dragic’s $19.4 million team option for the 2021-22 season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 1, 2021
Dragic was traded to the Heat in 2015 and has been a staple in Miami’s backcourt ever since, averaging 16.2 points and 5.2 assists per game in his seven seasons in South Beach. His biggest contributions came during the team’s surprise run to the NBA Finals last year, assisting Jimmy Butler and a rising Bam Adebayo by averaging 19.1 ppg, 4.4 apg, and 4.1 rpg during the postseason in the bubble.
At 35-years-old, however, the Slovenian veteran has started to show wear and tear over the past three seasons, playing just 36 games during the 2018-19 campaign and 50 this past season.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Heat could be using Dragic in a potential sign-and-trade deal with Kyle Lowry. The $19.4 million number will be a significant outgoing salary to help facilitate such a move.