Miami Heat point guard Goran Dragic. (Photo : Getty Images)
Starting point guard Goran Dragic is reportedly set to become the "focal point" of the Miami Heat's offense after Dwyane Wade decided to sign with the Chicago Bulls this summer during free agency.
Chat Sports reported that with Wade joining Chicago next season, the Heat are "prepared to change the offensive style" with head coach Erik Spoelstra disclosing that "Dragic's skill set will be maximized" moving forward.
"It only makes sense for us to maximize Goran's strengths, and Hassan (Whiteside's) strengths, Justise Winslow's strengths," said Spoelstra, as per the Miami Herald. "Their strengths are their speed, their athleticism."
"Goran is one of the best fast-break, transition point guards in this game. He will force tempo regardless of how you want to play or how you want to defend," he said.
The Miami Heat has been kept from playing a high-octane, up-tempo style of offense this past couple of years with an aging Wade slowing down their pace. But with the 34-year-old, injury-prone Wade now with the Bulls, Spoelstra had admitted that they will play fast more often and, more importantly, according to Dragic's pace.
"Goran is going to run... you don't find many players that can attack, that can play fast, that can make other players better in that type of game. And he's relentless in getting to the rim. And Goran is that kind of player. And I think young players gravitate to Goran. They want to play that style," Spoelstra added.
Dragic joined the Heat before the February trade deadline day last year together with his brother Zoran via a three-team trade that included the Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans. He averaged 16.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in 26 games for Miami at that time.
The Ljubljana, Slovenia native then signed a five-year, $85 million deal with the Heat last summer and produced averages of 14.1 points, a career-high 3.9 boards, and 5.8 assists per game in 32.8 minutes of playing time per night during his first full season with Spoelstra.
He is expected to play a major role, if not the leading role, this time in Miami alongside center Hassan Whiteside, who recently signed a four-year, $98 million contract.
Dragic and Whiteside remain in the team's starting unit and is anticipated to lead the team next season as veteran Chris Bosh's return is still uncertain at the moment.
