The Brooklyn Nets have been struggling since the injury to star forward Kevin Durant back on January 15, going just 4-13 since that date.
The team made a big move at the trade deadline, moving disgruntled shooting guard James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers in return for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, and Andre Drummond.
With their recent struggles, the Nets felt that they needed to bring in a little more depth to round out their star-studded lineup, and they have brought in even more on Monday. Reports have come out that the Nets are signing free-agent point guard Goran Dragic for the rest of the season.
Just in: Goran Dragic is signing with the Brooklyn Nets, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 21, 2022
Here are some reactions to the Nets signing a key veteran point guard in Dragic.
I don’t blame him, he wants that 💍
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 21, 2022
Irving, Dragic, Mills, and Curry is not a lot of size and not sure how this minutes get chopped. Cam Thomas played well enough I’m not even sure why they wanted Dragic. https://t.co/eupyMbse68
— Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) February 21, 2022
Not the team that I was expecting for Dragic but his versatility in terms of playing on/off the ball should allow him to fit in just fine https://t.co/ZJeFfWm0ZZ
— Trevor Lane (@Trevor_Lane) February 21, 2022
It’s beginning to look like players will scoff at the Lakers as a buyout destination. Might be time to start looking in the G League. https://t.co/C3ruVIGTmh
— Jason Timpf (@_JasonLT) February 21, 2022
Dragic was previously on the Toronto Raptors this season but played just five games after coming to an agreement that he would sit until they could find a trade for him. He was then traded to the San Antonio Spurs, where his contract was bought-out, making him a free agent.
Several contending teams were reportedly in the market for Dragic, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, and the Chicago Bulls.
Dragic certainly has familiarity with the coaching staff in Brooklyn. Dragic and Nets head coach Steve Nash were teammates during their time on the Phoenix Suns, which many are pointing to as the key reason that Dragic chose the Nets.
Dragic was Steve Nash’s backup for 190 games. He came out to watch #Nets–#Heat recently in Miami. #nba https://t.co/JJFiYwr3gj
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) February 21, 2022
Dragic, a one-time All-Star, reunites with ex-Suns teammate and Nets head coach Steve Nash and has opportunity for a significant role in Brooklyn’s backcourt. https://t.co/cj4HN6Z2ss
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 21, 2022
Looks like Steve Nash put in some OT this All-Star break https://t.co/GtlY8DlhDt
— Laura Albanese (@AlbaneseLaura) February 21, 2022
While it is unclear what kind of role Dragic will play for the team, he brings veteran leadership to the team along with experience in a playoff setting. The Nets will need as much guard depth as they can get, especially while star point guard Kyrie Irving can’t play in home games.
[ESPN]
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.