Report: Zoran Dragic leaving Spanish team to join Suns
Zoran Dragic has reportedly told his Spanish team, Unicaja Malaga, that he is headed to the Phoenix Suns, as first reported by La Opinion de Malaga's Rafael Molina Guerra.
One source familiar w/deal says Zoran Dragic gets two-year pact worth $3.5 million from Suns, which helps cover Malaga buyout comfortably
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) September 25, 2014
Dragic's buyout clause with Malaga is for 770,000 Euros (about $1 million), but NBA teams are only permitted to pay up to $600,00 of buyouts for players, meaning Dragic will have to pay the rest out of pocket.
Dragic needed to initiate the buyout before the Spanish season started in early October.
Dragic will join older brother Goran in the Suns' backcourt, along with Eric Bledsoe, who the team re-signed on Wednesday, and Isaiah Thomas, signed away from the Sacramento Kings earlier this summer.
Zoran Dragic, 25, played a key role in Slovenia advancing to the quarterfinals of the FIBA World Cup earlier this month, averaging nearly 13 points per game on 50 percent shooting, including 43 percent from three-point range.
In addition to adding a capable international guard, the Suns also make a move to please Goran Dragic, who can become an unrestricted free agent in July.
After the Suns announced the re-signing of Bledsoe, general manager Ryan McDonough said that there will be "plenty of money for Goran next year."