Dragic says Suns can't convince him to stay: 'I've already made up my mind'

If the Phoenix Suns had even the slightest hope that they could persuade Goran Dragic to re-sign with the team this summer, it was all but squashed during the guard's post-practice media availability Wednesday.

Dragic, who is set for unrestricted free agency come July, reportedly told the Suns Tuesday that he would not re-sign and wanted a trade before Thursday's deadline. He also reportedly gave the Suns a list of seven preferred teams that he would consider re-signing with. 

"I've already made up my mind," Dragic said, when asked if there was any way the Suns could convince him to stay. "For two years in a row I've been in the same spot, and I've played hard, but every year is the same. I'll stand by my actions.

"It's been going on all season. It's just different ... standing in the corner, it's not my game.... I see that we are not going in the right direction, and that's why I tried to take action."

As recently as earlier this week, there were rumblings that the Suns still hoped to part with guard Isaiah Thomas instead.

After the Suns acquired Thomas via a sign-and-trade in the offseason, they signed the undersized guard to a four-year, $27-million contract, adding him to a dynamic backcourt that already featured Dragic and Eric Bledsoe. They then handed Bledsoe a five-year, $70-million extension in September.

With Thomas further crowding the backcourt, Dragic's numbers have taken a major hit.

His usage rate has dipped from 24.5 percent last season to 21.5 percent this year, while his possession numbers have plummeted from 78.8 touches and 6.4 minutes of possession per game to 62.4 touches and 3.9 minutes of possession, according to NBA.com's player tracking data.

Not surprisingly, a diminished role has resulted in Dragic's numbers falling virtually across the board:

Considering Dragic was coming off of an All-NBA selection last season, he and his camp surely don't appreciate how an extra cook in the kitchen may have affected his value.

Dragic may also feel hard done by, considering his previous loyalty to the Suns. He signed a four-year contract (next year is a player option) with Phoenix in 2012 despite the fact the team traded him to the Houston Rockets a year and a half prior.

Asked what he wants out of a potential new NBA home, Dragic responded: "To be a point guard again, like I was in the past, and all my life. To be a point guard to run the team, to have the ball in my hands and try to make plays for others. That's who I am. That's why I'm not happy."

And if the Suns - or any team acquiring him at Thursday's deadline, for that matter - are banking on Dragic's Bird Rights and a fifth year of extra money keeping him around, USA Today's Sam Amick reported late Wednesday night that "according to a person with knowledge of his situation, the fifth year is not a factor for Dragic as he weighs his uncertain future."

Amick, citing his source, added that the extra money won't factor into Dragic's decision, as the Slovenian guard has been smart with his money.

Of course, Dragic and his camp are likely only trying to force the Suns' hand into dealing him to one of his preferred destinations, as anyone who is truly smart with money would relish the opportunity to make as much possible.