Goran Dragic Joins Bulls On One-Year Deal

Determined to replicate another solid campaign next season, the Chicago Bulls made their first move this summer by adding a vital piece to their backcourt armory.

NBA insider Shams Charania reported that 2017 FIBA Eurobasket MVP Goran Dragic signed a one-year contract worth around $2.9 million with the aforementioned franchise.

Despite being a valued contributor for 14 NBA seasons, the former 45th overall pick of the 2008 NBA Draft has bounced around the league most recently.

From a Toronto Raptors trade acquisition to a Brooklyn Nets signee last season, the Slovenian guard is expected to still have enough left in the gas tank coming just a year after a productive season with the Miami Heat.

During the 2020-21 season with the Heat, he was averaging 13.4 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 37.3% from beyond the arc.

Bulls head coach Billy Donovan has his work cut out for him as with the arrival of Dragic, the Bulls are looking at a pretty congested backcourt that already has Zach LaVine, Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso, Ayo Dosunmu, Coby White and Dalen Terry.

If the Bulls are not letting history repeat itself from their previous playoff stint, the said signing improves their chances of preserving starters like Ball and LaVine from injuries.

However, the 36-year-old did see his production take a dip last season.

Whether it is the proverbial Father Time catching up with him or the ample time to acclimate to his recent teams, he remains a reliable cager who could make a difference coming off the bench.

A change of scenery may just be what he needs to turn heads again that earned him an All-Star back in 2018.

In a media scrum back this past April, Dragic expressed his desire to continue playing after the Nets were swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the recently-concluded playoffs.

"I love basketball and still want to play another two or three years, so we'll see what happens," he said.

Goran Dragic #1 of the Toronto Raptors warms up prior to their NBA game against the Dallas Mavericks at Scotiabank Arena on October 23, 2021 in Toronto, Canada. Photo: (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)