NBA Rumors: Rockets To Make Move For Goran Dragic This Week

By Staff Reporter | Dec 16, 2014 11:38 PM EST

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The Houston Rockets are reportedly on the verge of a big move this week with the possibility of using the $8M trade exception for Phoenix Suns point guard Goran Dragic, a source close to situation.

Dragic, averaging 16.1 points, 4.0 assists and 3.4 rebounds this season, has become a major trade target for multiple teams, including several contenders. According to league sources, the Rockets are one of those teams pursuing Dragic, who played one and half season in Houston before he rejoined the Suns in 2012.

Howard Beck of Bleacher Report indicated the Rockets are expected to make move on the trading front as early as Friday, which will allow them to re-trade the player acquired by the trade deadline on February 19.

According to Beck, the plan is for the Rockets to use the $8.4 trade exception they acquire after sending Jeremy Lin and a first-round pick to the Los Angeles Lakers last summer.

The Rockets front office is studying their options, whether to acquire a wing defender or a stretch four. However, sources reported that Morey might also want to upgrade the point guard position, and Dragic appears to be their top target because of his $7.5 million paycheck that fits into their trade exception.

"[The Rockets are] definitely doing something before Dec. 19," one source said last week The Rockets have an $8.4 million trade exception they are determined to use. They prefer to do so by Friday so that anyone they acquire can be re-traded by the Feb. 19 trade deadline," Beck stated in his report.

"The Rockets, the source said, "are determined to complete something" with the exception and are working aggressively to find a trade partner. Houston had inquired about Kirilenko before the Nets sent him to Philadelphia."

While it's unclear if the Suns are willing to trade their starting point guard, their offseason commitments with Eric Bledsoe (5-year, $70M) and Isaiah Thomas (4-year, $27M) suggests they are going to have a hard time locking in Dragic long term.  

The Slovenian playmaker is coming off a breakout season with the Suns, averaging 20.3 points and 5.9 assists per game to land the Most Improved Player of the Year award for the 2013-14 season.

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