Goran Dragić experienced some of the peak years of his career with the Miami Heat.
He recently announced his retirement at the end of the season, as reported by the Slovenian website SiOL.net. Dragić played for the Heat from 2015-21 and was acquired from the Phoenix Suns in a significant trade this season.
His standout year with the Heat was in 2018 when he earned his only All-Star game appearance. During the bubble season in Orlando, Dragić played a crucial role in helping the Heat reach the 2020 NBA Finals, where they lost to the LeBron James-led Los Angeles Lakers in six games.
Despite expectations for Dragic to finish his career in Miami, he was included in a trade for point guard Kyle Lowry. However, there was still interest from Dragić in returning to Miami to finish his career.
Drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in 2008, Dragić played for the Suns and Houston Rockets before joining the Heat. Since 2021, he has moved between teams, playing for the Raptors, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, and Milwaukee Bucks.
For his contributions in the NBA and internationally, Dragić is likely to join the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Shandel Richardson covers the Miami Heat for Inside The Heat, Sports Illustrated’s Fan Nation channel, bringing his NBA coverage expertise since 2010.