Miami Heat point guard Goran Dragic. (Photo : Getty Images)
Miami Heat starting point guard Goran Dragic is reportedly being targeted by the Rockets "ahead of this month's NBA Trade Deadline" as Houston's general manager Daryl Morey is said to be "obsessed" on snagging the 29-year-old Slovenian.
Fansided reported that Morey considers the 2014 NBA Most Improved Player his "white whale" as the NBA executive disclosed that Dragic is "one of the Rockets' potential trade targets" this season.
The report mentioned, though, that the Heat trading Dragic would be almost impossible at this time even if there had been chemistry issues between him and Dwayne Wade in Miami's starting backcourt, unless the offered return would be something that Pat Riley and company could never refuse.
It was reported that Morey have always wanted to have "a second playmaker" alongside James Harden in the Rockets' roster and he had hoped that recent acquisition Ty Lawson could be that player.
However, Lawson have not met the GM's expectations as the former Denver floor general have been ineffectual both as Harden's backcourt partner and as "a lead ballhandler" as well.
Lawson was acquired by the Rockets in July of last year via a trade with the Nuggets that included a 2017 second round draft pick. Houston gave up Joey Dorsey, Nick Johnson, Kostas Papanikolaou, Pablo Pigrioni, a 2016 first round draft pick, and cash considerations in return.
Many fans and analysts thought that the deal was a steal for the Rockets, but it turned out to be somewhat of a bust as Lawson had only averaged 6.4 points and 3.7 assists in 23.7 minutes a night in 47 games so far this season. They were far lower than his 15.2 points and 9.6 assists per game production last season with the Nuggets.
Meanwhile, Sports Blog's Heat Diehards noted that "there's nothing the Rockets would have outside of James Harden that would make the Heat consider sending Dragic there".
Small forward Trevor Ariza may be attractive to have for Riley, but he would not directly trade Dragic for the 6-foot-8 wingman even if the Rockets add some draft picks. Perhaps if they include Dwight Howard in the deal then Miami might consider.
It should be noted that this was not the first time Houston tried to get Dragic as they also did it last season near the trade deadline. The Stanković Cup gold medalist was with Phoenix then and the Suns chose to deal him to the Heat instead of the Rockets.
