Report: Toronto Raptors are ‘almost certain’ to trade Goran Dragic by the trade deadline

Toronto Raptors guard Goran Dragic has suited up for just five games this season.

But that could change, as Toronto is reportedly “almost certain” to deal him away to another team by the trade deadline.

“According to multiple NBA sources, granted anonymity because nothing has been finalized, the Raptors are finding great interest in a myriad of differently structured deals for the veteran point guard and he is almost certain to be dealt near the Feb. 10 NBA trade deadline,” wrote Doug Smith of the Toronto Star.

The 35-year-old was traded to the Raptors from the Miami Heat last offseason as part of the trade package that sent Kyle Lowry to Miami. However, he has not played a game for Toronto since its loss to the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 13.

Even though he has been in the league for over a decade, the veteran could still potentially provide championship contenders with a needed boost.

Back in the 2019-20 season, he helped lead Miami to the NBA Finals in the league’s bubble in Orlando, Fla. During that postseason, Dragic posted averages of 19.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. He also contributed 2.2 3-pointers per contest.

The Heat were two wins away from winning a title against the Los Angeles Lakers. The experience likely left Dragic yearning for a championship. The Raptors are unlikely to contend for a title this season.

Toronto is just 24-23 so far in the 2021-22 campaign. That record has them eighth in the Eastern Conference, and the team would make the play-in tournament if the season were to end today.

It seemed like things were looking up for the Raptors at the beginning of the calendar year. They won their first five games of 2022, but since then, they have lost six of their last 10 games.

Toronto will play against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday to end a three-game road trip.