CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra took the somewhat extraordinary step Thursday of confirming to Goran Dragic that there was no truth to the recent report of the guard being part of trade discussions with the Sacramento Kings.
While the Heat typically dismiss trade rumors, Dragic said Spoelstra spoke to him about the latest swirl during the morning shootaround at the Spectrum Center, in advance of Thursday night's exhibition against the Charlotte Hornets.
"Spo came over and did that today," Dragic said. "He just said those rumors, they're not true."
Basketball Insiders had reported ongoing talks of a possible Heat move with Dragic for Kings forward Rudy Gay and Sacramento guard Darren Collison, a move that could have significantly increased the Heat's salary-cap space for the 2017 offseason, with Gay holding the right to opt out of the 2017-18 season on his contract. Dragic has this season, plus two more and then a player option on his contract, due $17 million in 2017-18.
"I told him I understand this is the business," Dragic said of Spoelstra confiding in him, "The only thing I can do is do what I do on the court."
Among those traveling with the Heat for the team's final road exhibition is general manager Andy Elisburg.
Asked what he would think the next time that he is mentioned in a rumor if Spoelstra would not offer the same type of denial, Dragic smiled, instead grateful for Thursday's gesture.
"That was really nice from Spo," Dragic said. "That's not his job to come to the players to say it, so I understand."
Dragic said he appreciated that there will be times when management and the coaching staff might not be able to be as forthcoming.
"This is business," he said, "so I have no problem with that."
