Report: Suns owner has 'dug in,' won't trade Goran Dragic
Tap here to access our NBA Trade Deadline tracker, which includes the latest transactions and rumors.
It's important to remember that before the 3 p.m. ET trade deadline, any public comments or leaks of information could very well be posturing.
It's also important to remember that people who own NBA teams, particularly those like Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver who have a net worth in the hundreds of millions of dollars, don't appreciate their hands being forced.
Sarver is reportedly nonplussed with the trade request of point guard Goran Dragic and has dug in, telling people he will not honor Dragic's request. The Suns had viewed Dragic as the heir apparent to Steve Nash when they signed him to a four-year, $30-million deal in 2012, one that Dragic can opt out of this summer.
Earlier in the year, it seemed as if Dragic would opt out in order to sign a larger long-term deal with the Suns. Since then, the point guard has grown displeased with the team's three point-guard system, which has taken the ball out of his hands and caused his numbers to dip following his Most Improved Player season a year ago.
While Sarver is said to be holding firm that the team will keep Dragic, playing out the season with him and calling his bluff that the additional year and money Phoenix can offer him as an unrestricted free agent won't matter, the team continues to explore potential deals.
The Sacramento Kings are believed to have offered a first-round pick and Nik Stauskas but have cooled on trading for Dragic without a long-term commitment, while the Miami Heat have reportedly offered a pair of future first-round picks. The Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks are interested in Dragic and are among his preferred destinations, but they have little in the way of assets and can try to sign Dragic this summer.
The Suns don't necessarily risk losing Dragic for nothing by keeping him. Not only would it keep their chances of making a playoff run alive, but holding his Bird rights would present an opportunity to sign-and-trade Dragic for a return in the summer.