NBA Trade Rumors 2016: Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings Talking Goran Dragic For Rudy Gay, Darren Collison?

In the midst of a major rebuild following shooting guard Dwyane Wade’s exit and power forward Chris Bosh’s absence due to an unknown but perceived serious medical condition, the Miami Heat have tumbled down the Eastern Conference standings and appear far away from any title contention.

That’s left star combo-guard and leading scorer Goran Dragic reportedly “open” to a trade out of Miami, The Vertical reported Thursday citing NBA sources.

According to the report, earlier this season Miami nearly made a deal with the Sacramento Kings that would have sent Dragic to Sacramento and small forward Rudy Gay – who other reports have said is very open to leaving the beleaguered franchise – but that the deal fell apart after the Heat wanted veteran point guard Darren Collison included in the deal.

Evidently, other teams have also taken Miami’s temperature on a deal for the 30-year-old Slovenian and the Heat are listening.

Dragic, who’s averaging 19.2 points and 6.7 assists over 25 games this season, was sent to the Heat by forcing his way from the Phoenix Suns before the 2014-15 trade deadline, believing he could help Miami once again contend with Wade and Bosh following LeBron James’ return back to Cleveland.

The following season, the deal showed promise. Miami improved from a 37-win team to 48-34 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs before falling to Toronto in seven games.

But with Wade returning to his hometown Chicago Bulls and the Heat refusing to clear Bosh medically to play, Dragic and center Hassan Whiteside have been left to carry an otherwise young roster. The Heat have a 10-20 record and have lost eight of their last 11 games. Only the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers have a worse record than the Heat in the East.

Dragic’s contract, given the escalating deals around the league thanks to an influx of major television rights money, would actually be affordable to any team. After this season, he has three years remaining and is scheduled to make $17 million next year, $18.110 million in 2018-19 and has an option worth $19.220 million for the 2019-20 season.