Goran Dragic traded to Heat for multiple first-round picks

“I never saw a list ... maybe it was written in vanishing ink,” McDonough said, via Fox Sports 910. “We were going to make the best move for us.”

Babby also responded harshly to Dragic’s criticisms of the front office.

Goran Dragic is finally on the move. After a week of rumors detailing the strained relationship between the Phoenix Suns and the 28-year-old guard, Dragic has been sent to the Miami Heat, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.

The blockbuster trade eventually morphed into a three-team deal that also involved the New Orleans Pelicans. First-round picks in 2017 (top-seven protected) and 2021 (unprotected) will go to Phoenix, as well as Danny Granger, according to 620 KTAR. Justin Hamilton will also go to Phoenix, while Norris Cole and Shawne Williams appear to be heading to New Orleans. The Suns will also get John Salmons.

The Celtics were rumored to be interested in Dragic but they are not actively pursuing trades, according to the Boston Herald’s Steve Bulpett. Their hesitance comes from Dragic’s claims he would not re-sign with any team outside the three on his list, claiming that a fifth year, which only a team that has his Bird rights could offer, is not something that would sway him to stay with whoever trades for him.

The Knicks are one of the teams on Dragic’s list and are interested in trading for him, offering Jose Calderon and Tim Hardaway Jr. in return, according to ESPN’s Chris Broussard. The package is surely not what the Suns are looking for and the Knicks won’t include their 2015 draft pick in a trade for Dragic when they could pursue him in free agency in the offseason. It seems unlikely the Suns accept the offer unless they can’t find a better one.

NBA players who issue trade requests through sources or their agent normally say nothing publicly. Goran Dragic has decided to take a far different approach.

The Suns’ point guard did practice Wednesday one day after it became known that he wanted out of Phoenix. But once reporters tracked him down, he not only confirmed he wants to leave, but said why.

Dragic has a $7.5 million player option for next season, but it was always assumed that he would choose to become an unrestricted free agent instead. With Thursday’s trade deadline looming, the Suns must now decide whether to trade Dragic or risk losing him in the offseason for nothing. They’ve informed Dragic’s representatives that they plan on pursuing the former option and will try to trade him, according to Real GM’s Shams Charania. ESPN’s Marc Stein is also reporting that Dragic getting traded before Thursday’s deadline is now “regarded as the likely scenario.”

SB Nation presents: Awesome NBA trades that SHOULD happen, but never will.

However, Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski said the Suns are determined to re-sign Dragic, and the two sides will meet on Tuesday to discuss the situation. Beck followed up his original report by confirming Phoenix’s desire to keep the guard, but concern about him leaving in the summer has led to trade talks.

The Suns can afford to give Dragic a big contract this offseason, as there is only about $53.4 million of guaranteed money on the books, per BasketballInsiders.com. The real question is the fit of the roster, as noted by Dave King at Bright Side Of The Sun: