Report: Dragic will not return to Rockets, Suns may re-sign

Goran Dragic may be slipping away from the Rockets. (Getty Images)

When Kyle Lowry expressed his displeasure with the Rockets and coach Kevin McHale last month, it was thought that the Rockets were in a win-win situation. If they traded Lowry, they re-sign free agent Goran Dragic. They wanted both back. Now it's possible, should they be forced into moving Lowry due to the dysfunction, that they could lose both. Because reports indicate that Goran Dragic will not be returning as a Houston Rocket.

The Houston Chronicle reports a source within the Rockets saying after a meeting with Dragic on Monday, "Goran's not coming back. Just not happening." The Chronicle reports that "Sides so far apart on contract, meeting yesterday ended w/ thanks and good luck kind of exchange. Still, Dragic hasn't gotten that deal yet."

Dragic averaged 16 and 7 per 36 minutes on 46 percent shooting with an 18.0 PER last season for the Rockets. He's just 26 and had an assist rate of 32.5. He's going to get offers. Point guard is a phenomenally tough position in this league and while many teams have quality points, the ones that don't are desperate for them.

Yahoo Sports reports that the Suns could offer $8-9 million per year to get Dragic back, after trading him and a pick away for Aaron Brooks. Welcome to the NBA.

This info would also presumably take the Lakers out of the running, who have been talked about. They won't have the money to keep Dragic. It should be noted that Rockets GM Daryl Morey has had phenomenal sense of when to match offers and when to let guys walk away. He doesn't keep players much past when they're useful or past what they're worth.

But Houston could wind up with a point guard problem on their hands if they can't talk Kyle Lowry down, or if they trade him.