National Basketball Association

Report: Suns negotiating with Zoran Dragic

Published Sep. 12, 2014 1:00 p.m. ET

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PHOENIX -- If various web reports and social-media posts regarding Zoran Dragic are accurate, at least one crucial chunk of the Suns' backcourt future would seem closer to locked in.

Zoran, code name "Zoki", is the 25-year-old younger brother of Suns star Goran Dragic, who -- based on how dramatically he outplayed his current contract last season -- will opt out for more loot next summer. That loot could be had in a few NBA cities, but the stronger possibility of having his brother alongside makes an even greater case for the third-team, All-NBA guard remaining in Phoenix.

Based on translations of an interview the older Dragic granted in Spain recently, returning to the Suns looked highly likely. That wasn't surprising to Suns fans but did provide a little comfort.

The following day, however, Slovenian national team director Matej Avanzo was quoted as saying Goran -- who, like Zoran, was participating for his country in the FIBA World Championships -- might be considering another NBA team when that option becomes available.

It has been posited by various watchdogs on blogs and websites that much was lost on Avanzo in the translation of NBA contractual protocols. Another theory suggests Avanzo -- Slovenia's version of Team USA's Jerry Colangelo -- was attempting to tweak the Suns for seeking a reasonable limit on Goran's minutes in World Cup play.

It could be below-average ado about even less.

According to a tweet by a reporter who covers Unicaja Malaga -- Zoran's current Spanish League team -- that was retweeted by Zoran himself, negotiations with the Suns have been ongoing. Still under contract with the Spanish team, a buyout of slightly less than $1 million would be required to spring Zoki. The Suns could pony up $600,000; Goran has been identified as a benefactor willing to pick up some of the balance.

Although ESPN's Marc Stein reported the Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings remain in contention for Zoran, the chance to continue playing alongside Goran could be the clincher for Phoenix.

It worked pretty well for both at the FIBA tournament in Spain, where Zoki made 43 percent of his attempts from behind the cozy international 3-point line and provided Slovenia with 12.9 points and four rebounds per game.

The showing put Zoran back on the NBA's radar two years after he suited up with the Houston Rockets summer team -- as Goran was leaving Houston to re-sign with Phoenix.

Slovenia's Zoran Dragic controls the ball during the Basketball World Cup quarterfinal against the U.S at the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Sept. 9. Goran Dragic is behind Zoran.

This largesse would give Phoenix a second brother combination, with the Morris twins ready to roll into their fourth NBA season.

Any interest in bringing in a second Dragic probably has very little -- if anything -- to do with the Suns' contractual stalemate with restricted free agent Eric Bledsoe.

For the sake of categorization (something the Suns have been moving away from), Zoran would fit inside the "shooting guard" box.  Considered a committed, effective defender, his offensive skill set offers NBA-level chops on catch-shoot and reaching the paint off the bounce. But figuring out his niche on a crowded Phoenix perimeter won't be easy.

That's why the Suns have Jeff Hornacek, who finished second in Coach-of-the-Year voting during his first year back in town.

The seeming log jam would include two Dragons, newcomer Isaiah Thomas, the post-breakout edition of scoring machine Gerald Green, the second-year bundle of potential named Archie Goodwin and the elephant not in the room: Bledsoe.

Rookie point guard Tyler Ennis is in future plans, but the first spin into his development curve could offer D-League time in Bakersfield.

With no issues with cap room, the contractual NBA range for Zoran Dragic could be $2 million to $3 million.

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