Goran Dragic didn't exactly burst through the NBA's front door. Selected 45th overall in the second round of the 2008 Draft by the Phoenix Suns , the Slovenian had to earn every minute of his keep. Developing under the wing of the legendary Steve Nash , the Slovenian guard gradually carved out his place in the league.
Once Nash departed, Dragic was ready to step into the spotlight. However, a detour to the Houston Rockets was necessary to prove he was a legitimate NBA starter. Realizing their mistake, the Suns brought him back in 2012 with a four-year, $30 million deal.
At the time, Robert Sarver seemed willing to admit his previous error, even including a $1 million incentive in the contract if Dragic reached All-Star status. In 2014, Dragic nearly touched that milestone.
"I had a bonus in my contract, $1 million if I make the All-Star game. And yeah, they didn't pick me; they gave me a skills challenge," Dragic recalled. "I remember after the All-Star, I was at practice and the owner of the Phoenix Suns approached me. He said, 'I'm so happy that you didn't make the All-Star, so I don't have to pay you $1 million.' I was so pissed, man!"
Dragic made the ASG in 2018
The 2013-14 season was a masterclass in efficiency for Dragic. He earned Most Improved Player honors, averaging 20.3 points, 5.9 assists, and 1.4 steals while shooting a blistering 50.5 percent from the field and 40.8 percent from deep. He was, by every metric, one of the best guards in the league, leading a scrappy Suns team to the doorstep of the playoffs.
Despite playing at an All-Star level, Dragic was still a relatively fresh name in the U.S. market. The voters opted for established stars who, statistically, hadn't matched Dragic's impact that season. He took the snub in stride, but Sarver's reaction at practice was the final straw.
For Dragic, it was the moment he knew his time in Phoenix was over. By the middle of the following season, he was traded to the Miami Heat , where he would eventually earn his elusive All-Star nod in 2018, lead Slovenia to EuroBasket gold, and make two trips to the NBA Finals.
Dragic would go on and earn over $150 million in career salary
In the wake of Dragic's departure, the Suns spiraled. The franchise posted losing records for years, including a dismal 23-win season even after finding a generational talent in Devin Booker . Sarver's reign eventually ended in 2023 following a league investigation into racist and misogynistic comments, a scandal that forced a change in leadership.
One can only wonder "what if" Sarver had shown a bit more tact. A backcourt of a prime Dragic and a young Booker could have been one of the most dominant duos in the league.
Instead, a careless comment about a million dollars, a drop in the bucket for a man whose player would go on to earn over $150 million in career salary, fractured the foundation of the team.
For Dragic, it wasn't about the money; it was about the total lack of respect.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Apr 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
