So your team is looking for some shooting help at the NBA Trade Deadline? Here are a few possible targets.
The NBA Trade Deadline gets closer every day. As players make use of the All-Star break to rest up and prepare for the sprint to the playoffs that’s coming, NBA front offices everywhere are evaluating their needs. What position are they in, can they make a playoff run, and what can be done to increase their chances at winning games following the deadline? A few of these teams are going to reach the conclusion that if they’re going to win then they need to make some serious investments into a shooter.
The NBA is more reliant than ever on pace-and-space which has skyrocketed the value of shooting. When a team gets a good shooter convincing them to trade it away can be difficult, but with a sweet enough offer any player can be moved. Even these five.
5. Goran Dragic
Before the Miami Heat went on a tear to put themselves back in the playoff race, Goran Dragic seemed like one of those players that was for sure being traded at this year’s deadline. He’s a solid starting point guard. He can penetrate a defense and make use of the chaos to create looks for his teammates or get to the foul line.
Where Dragic’s real value resides however is his shooting ability. He’s shooting a career-high 42 percent from 3-point range this season despite Miami’s lack of spacing, and his 26 percent usage numbers indicate he’s doing just about everything for Miami. When the ball is in Dragic’s hands, and the offense allows him to make things happen, he’s at his best. However this is a double-edged sword for most NBA teams. Dragic is a valuable shooter, but the only ones that should really look at him are those in dire need of a starting point guard. Contenders would be wasting their time and money turning him into a spot up shooter. This likely why Miami has had a difficult time finding trade partners for him.
Also concerning about Dragic. While he’s been a good shooter the last couple years over the course of his career there’s a lack of consistency that’s troubling. Last season he shot 31 percent from 3-point range, and 32 percent in his short stint with Miami the season before. This is the first season he’s really shot well for the Heat. A lot of this can be attributed to Dragic’s role in the offense increasing, but teams looking at trading for him purely as a shooter may tread caution. Dragic is a talented player, but it’s very clear how important fit is when it comes to being at his best.