The Indiana Pacers attempted to make a run at Phoenix Suns point guard Goran Dragic in July. Two months later, the Eastern Conference powerhouse is once again looking to acquire another Dragic.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein of ESPN, the Pacers are interested in signing Zoran Dragic to an NBA contract following the Slovenian's superb showing at the FIBA World Cup of Basketball.
With Paul George expected to sit out for the entire 2014-15 NBA season because of the gruesome leg injury he suffered in Team USA exhibition game more than a month ago, the Pacers are keen in adding a wing players capable of providing some offensive firepower off the bench.
He is currently playing for Unicaja Malaga, but he can still leave his team for the NBA as long as he makes his move before the start of Spanish basketball season and pays a hefty buyout fee.
Dragic, who was undrafted in 2011, is averaging 13.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game for Slovenia, who advanced into the quarterfinal round at the FIBA World Cup. The 25-year old guard dropped 18 points in their round-of-16 win over Dominican Republic 71-61.
"Projected to play shooting guard in the NBA with a shot that's still developing but with toughness and a motor that are unmistakably Dragic-y, Zoran has solidified his status as an NBA prospect with his play in this tournament, helping Slovenia make a real run at winning Group D before pumping in a team-high 18 points," Stein stated in his report.
Goran, who won the Most Improved Player award last year after averaging 20 points and 6 assists per game, also believed his brother can play in the NBA and hopefully become his teammate with the Phoenix Suns, which also expressed interest in the younger Dragic.
"He was awesome," Goran Dragic told ESPN.com that night. "He was our best player on the court. It means a lot to play with him. We don't see each other so often. OK, on Skype, but it's not the same. Now it's a perfect situation for us to play together with the national team.
"We can share the court and maybe do some damage [with the national team]. And hopefully someday we can play each other in the NBA."
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