The Miami Heat will start with their roster moves this offseason trying to keep point guard Goran Dragic who was acquired last season during the trade deadline in February from the Phoenix Suns.
ESPN's Marc Stein reported that Dragic will be passing on his player option for next season but sources say the Heat will be coming up with an offer of a five-year deal worth more than $80 million.
The Heat is the only team that can offer the 29-year-old Slovenian playmaker a five-year deal.
Miami would likely not offer Dragic a five-year max deal which will be worth more than $100 million as of now because the face of the franchise, Dwyane Wade, still has an undetermined future with the team.
The Heat might face an early free agency for Wade who has a contract dispute with the team and will likely pass on his $16.1 million player option for next season.
Forward Luol Deng's decision is also awaited by the Heat since he can also choose to be a free agent and pass on his player option for next season worth $10.2 million.
The Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks are among the teams trying to acquire Dragic this offseason and can offer him a greater deal.
Both teams can offer the 2014 NBA Most Improved Player a four-year deal worth $85 million, much better than the Heat's offer.
But Dragic has been quoted a number of times saying that he wants to remain in South Beach despite Miami not reaching the playoffs last season and team president Pat Riley expressed his confidence that they will be able to keep him for next season.
Dragic played in 26 games for the Heat in the 2014-15 season and averaged 16.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.1 steals.
Miami finished two places behind the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference last season with a 37-45 record.
