Veteran point guard Goran Dragic is the latest free-agent signing made by the Chicago Bulls.
After a frustrating last season split between the Toronto Raptors and the Brooklyn Nets, longtime Miami Heat point guard Goran Dragic will now play for the Chicago Bulls.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported on Sunday afternoon that Dragic was indeed signing with Chicago. It will be for a one-year deal worth $2.9 million. This will be Dragic’s age-36 season out of Slovenia, as well as his 15th season in the league. Chicago now becomes the sixth NBA franchise Dragic will play for after spending the bulk of his career in Miami and Phoenix.
Here is Charania breaking the news of Dragic going to the Bulls in his 2022 NBA free agency.
And here is Charania breaking the news it will be a one-year deal worth $2.6 million for Dragic.
Now that he has found a new team to play for next season, what does Dragic provide Chicago?
Goran Dragic contract details: Chicago Bulls sign veteran NBA point guard
While Dragic is no longer anything close to the All-Star-level player he was in his late 20s and very early 30s, when healthy, he can provide a team he plays for with 25 minutes or so per game from the combo guard position. Dragic has always been able to get a bucket and he should be able to thrive backing up Lonzo Ball in Chicago, possibly playing some big minutes alongside of him, too.
With Nikola Vucevic being such a big advocate to bring him to The Windy City, the other big thing Dragic should be able to provide the Bulls is some of that winning culture he was very much a part of in Miami. Chicago should be a playoff team in the Eastern Conference this year, but the Bulls may have the talent to win a postseason series, or two, if they can build off last season’s success.
Ultimately, this move is more about depth and veteran experience above all else. If the Bulls are expecting to lean on Dragic in big moments at this stage of his career, they will reap what they sow. Conversely, it is Dragic’s wealth of knowledge in these big spots that could potentially help the Bulls get over the top in what looks to be a challenging Eastern Conference for the time being.
For the dollar amount and duration, adding a proven veteran like Dragic is a good deal for the Bulls.