15-year NBA veteran announces plans to retire

15-year NBA veteran and Slovenian basketball legend Goran Dragic announced plans to retire in 2024, with a farewell game set for August, according to Mozzart Sport.

The August farewell event, hosted by Spontanzo and the Goran Dragic Foundation, is set to take place over two days in Ljubljana and, according to BasketNews, the details of the match are to be unveiled on Jan. 4.

It’s not clear if Dragic is stepping away from professional play immediately, so it’s possible he still plays before the farewell game. In November, we wrote Dragic was still looking for an NBA opportunity and, in September, he had interest in playing for the Heat, but he hasn’t received a deal.

Dragic, 37, hasn’t played in the NBA this year and most recently suited up for the Bucks last season. In 2022-23, he spent 51 games with the Bulls before joining Milwaukee. Dragic made his NBA debut in 2008-09 with the Suns before being traded to Houston in 2010-11. The Slovenian point guard signed back with the Suns in 2012 and it was there he emerged into one of the league’s top floor generals.

In 2013-14, Dragic was named to the All-NBA Third Team and was the league’s Most Improved Player, averaging 20.3 points and 5.9 assists with Phoenix. Then, in the 2014-15 season, the Suns traded Goran alongside his brother, Zoran Dragic, to the Heat. Goran aided the Heat to four playoff appearances, including a run to the Finals in 2020. He was named an All-Star with Miami in 2017-18. He also had stints with the Raptors and Nets.

In 946 career NBA games (530 starts), Dragic holds career averages of 13.3 points, 4.7 assists and 3.0 rebounds.