History of Goran Dragić in Timeline

Goran Dragić, a Slovenian former professional basketball player known as "the Dragon", had a successful career spanning Europe and the NBA. After playing in Slovenia and Spain, he joined the NBA in 2008, playing for several teams including the Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, and others. He earned accolades such as All-NBA Third Team, NBA Most Improved Player in 2014 with the Suns, and was an NBA All-Star in 2018 with Miami. Notably, he led the Slovenian national team to their first FIBA EuroBasket title in 2017, earning the tournament's MVP award.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1985: Rod Strickland's performance

In 1985, Rod Strickland set career highs in points three times in a single month, a feat Goran Dragić would match later in his career.

May 1986: Goran Dragić's birth

In May 1986, Goran Dragić was born. He would later become a Slovenian professional basketball player known as "the Dragon."

Others born on this day/year

2003: Pau Gasol's 36 Points in 2003 EuroBasket Final

In 2003, Pau Gasol scored 36 points in the EuroBasket final. This is mentioned in comparison to Dragić's 35 points in the 2017 final.

2003: Debut in Slovenian minor league

In 2003, at the age of 17, Goran Dragić made his debut in the Slovenian minor league with KD Ilirija.

2003: Miami Heat sweep season series with Bulls

The Miami Heat swept the season series with the Chicago Bulls for the first time since the 2003-04 season in 2016.

2004: Gold Medal at FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship

In 2004, Goran Dragić and the Slovenian under-20 junior national team won the gold medal at the FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship.

2004: Transferred to Slovan

In 2004, Goran Dragić transferred to Slovan, a top-level Slovenian Basketball League and Adriatic League club.

2005: Participation in 2005 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship

In 2005, Goran Dragić played at the FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship.

2006: 2006 FIBA World Championship

In 2006, Dragić competed with the senior men's Slovenian national basketball team at the FIBA World Championship, in a limited role.

2006: Transferred to Saski Baskonia and loaned to Murcia

In 2006, Goran Dragić transferred to the Spanish ACB League club Saski Baskonia, who then loaned him to the Spanish club Murcia.

2007: 2007 EuroBasket

In 2007, Dragić competed with the senior men's Slovenian national basketball team at the EuroBasket, in a limited role.

2007: Joined Union Olimpija

In 2007, Goran Dragić joined the Slovenian club Union Olimpija, where he played during the 2007–08 season and won the Slovenian League championship.

September 2008: Signed with Phoenix Suns

In September 2008, after being drafted by the San Antonio Spurs and having his draft rights traded, Goran Dragić officially signed with the Phoenix Suns.

2008: Entered NBA

In 2008, Goran Dragić entered the NBA after playing professional basketball in Slovenia and Spain.

2009: Increase in Role with Slovenian National Team in 2009 EuroBasket

In 2009, Dragić's role with the Slovenian national basketball team began to increase in the EuroBasket.

January 2010: Career high 32 points

In January 2010, Goran Dragić scored a then career high 32 points, hitting 6 of 7 three-pointers in a game against the Utah Jazz.

May 2010: Led Suns comeback against Spurs

In May 2010, during Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals, Goran Dragić led a Phoenix Suns comeback against the San Antonio Spurs, scoring 23 of his total 26 points in the fourth quarter, contributing to a 110–96 victory.

2010: 2010 FIBA World Championship

In 2010, Dragić played with the Slovenian national basketball team at the FIBA World Championship.

February 2011: Traded to Houston Rockets

In February 2011, Goran Dragić was traded to the Houston Rockets along with a protected first-round pick in exchange for Aaron Brooks.

April 2011: First career triple-double

In April 2011, during the Rockets' season finale, Goran Dragić recorded his first career triple-double with 11 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds in a 121–102 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

2011: 2011 EuroBasket with Brother Zoran

In 2011, Goran Dragić played with his brother Zoran in the EuroBasket.

2011: Returned to the Rockets

In 2011, Goran Dragić returned to the Houston Rockets for the 2011-12 season.

2011: Played for Saski Baskonia during NBA lockout

In 2011, during the NBA lockout, Goran Dragić played for Saski Baskonia of Spain for a brief period until the lockout ended.

March 2012: Filled in for Kyle Lowry

In March 2012, Goran Dragić filled in for Kyle Lowry, who was out with a bacterial infection, while playing for the Houston Rockets.

April 2012: Won Western Conference Player of the Week

In April 2012, Goran Dragić won the Western Conference Player of the Week while playing for the Houston Rockets.

July 2012: Signed with Phoenix Suns

In July 2012, Goran Dragić agreed to sign a 4-year, $30 million deal with the Phoenix Suns and officially became a member of the team again, replacing Steve Nash as starting point guard.

February 2013: Career-high 18 assists

On February 19, 2013, Goran Dragić recorded a career-high 18 assists along with 14 points in a 102-98 victory for the Phoenix Suns against the Portland Trail Blazers.

March 2013: Nearly recorded triple-double against Brooklyn Nets

On March 24, 2013, Goran Dragić nearly recorded a triple-double against the Brooklyn Nets, scoring 31 points, 12 assists, and 9 rebounds.

November 2013: Double-double against Portland Trail Blazers

On November 27, 2013, Goran Dragić had a double-double of 31 points and 10 assists in a victory against the Portland Trail Blazers, while playing alongside Eric Bledsoe for the Phoenix Suns.

2013: 2013 EuroBasket in Slovenia

In 2013, Goran Dragić and his brother Zoran played in the EuroBasket, which was held in Slovenia, leading the team to a 5th-place finish and a spot in the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Dragić finished in the tournament's top five in points and assists, earning him a spot on the All-Tournament Team.

January 2014: Career-high 33 points

On January 2, 2014, Goran Dragić scored what was, at the time, a career-high 33 points in a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies as a member of the Phoenix Suns.

February 2014: Career-high scoring games

In February 2014, Goran Dragić had multiple career-high scoring games, including 34 points on February 8, 35 points on February 23, and 40 points on February 28 against the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, and New Orleans Pelicans, respectively. He also joined the 20-50-40 Club.

February 2014: Western Conference Player of the Week award

In February 2014, Goran Dragić won his second career Western Conference Player of the Week award and his first with the Phoenix Suns for games played between January 27 – February 2, 2014. He was also paired with Reggie Jackson in the revamped Skills Challenge at the All-Star weekend.

April 2014: NBA Most Improved Player Award

In April 2014, Goran Dragić won the 2014 NBA Most Improved Player Award.

June 2014: Named to All-NBA Third Team

In June 2014, Goran Dragić was named to the 2014 All-NBA Third Team.

2014: Named Slovenia's Team Captain and 2014 FIBA World Cup Participation

In 2014, Dragić was named Slovenia's team captain after Jaka Lakovič retired. He played in the 2014 FIBA World Cup as the only All-NBA Team member aside from Team USA members.

2014: All-NBA Third Team selection and NBA Most Improved Player

In 2014, Goran Dragić was selected for the All-NBA Third Team and named the NBA Most Improved Player while playing for the Phoenix Suns.

January 2015: Playing with Brothers for the Suns

On January 2, 2015, Goran Dragić and his brother Zoran, alongside teammates Markieff and Marcus Morris, played together for the Phoenix Suns. It was the first time in NBA history that two different pairs of brothers played together for the same team at the same time.

February 2015: Traded to Miami Heat

In February 2015, Goran Dragić and his brother Zoran Dragic were traded to the Miami Heat in a three-team deal involving the New Orleans Pelicans. He then debuted for the Heat, recording 12 points and 3 rebounds in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

July 2015: Re-signed with the Heat

In July 2015, Goran Dragić re-signed with the Miami Heat to a five-year, $90 million contract.

January 2016: Missed games due to injury

In January 2016, Goran Dragić missed eight straight games because of a left calf injury while playing for the Miami Heat.

February 2016: Season-high points

On February 20, 2016, Goran Dragić recorded a season-high 24 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in a win over the Washington Wizards as a member of the Miami Heat.

November 2016: Season highs in points and assists

In November 2016, Goran Dragić recorded season highs of 27 points and 17 assists in a loss to the Boston Celtics.

December 2016: Highest-scoring total as Heat member

In December 2016, Goran Dragić scored 29 points, his highest-scoring total as a member of the Miami Heat at the time, in a loss to the New York Knicks. He then set a new season high six days later, scoring 34 points in a win over the Washington Wizards.

February 2017: Career-high three-pointers

In February 2017, Goran Dragić scored 33 points and hit a career-high seven three-pointers, leading the Miami Heat to their 11th straight victory with a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

November 2017: Season-high points

In November 2017, Goran Dragić scored a season-high 29 points in a win over the Phoenix Suns and was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played November 20 through 26.

2017: Winning the 2017 EuroBasket and MVP Award

In 2017, Dragić helped Slovenia win its first-ever FIBA European championship and announced his retirement from the Slovenian national team after the tournament. He scored 35 points in the final and was awarded the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, averaging 22.6 points per game. He was also named the 2017 Slovenian Sportsman of the year.

2017: FIBA EuroBasket title

In 2017, Goran Dragić led the senior Slovenian national team to its first FIBA EuroBasket title and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

January 2018: Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week

In January 2018, Goran Dragić was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played January 8 through 14, marking his fourth career Player of the Week honor.

August 2018: Order of Njegoš and Medal of Merit Award

In August 2018, the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, honored Dragić with an Order of Njegoš and a Medal of Merit for the People.

October 2018: Reached 10,000 NBA points

In October 2018, Goran Dragić scored 28 points in a win over the Portland Trail Blazers, becoming the first Slovenian player to reach the 10,000-point mark in the NBA.

2018: NBA All-Star

In 2018, Goran Dragić was named an NBA All-Star for the first time while playing with the Miami Heat.

February 2019: Returned from knee surgery

In February 2019, Goran Dragić returned to action after undergoing surgery to clean up his right knee, playing against the Detroit Pistons.

2019: Helped Heat through 2020 NBA Playoffs

In the 2019–20 NBA season, Goran Dragić helped the Miami Heat through the 2020 NBA Playoffs.

December 2020: Season-high points

On December 30, 2020, Goran Dragić scored a season-high 26 points, alongside five rebounds and two assists, in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

2020: Missed games in NBA Finals due to injury

In 2020, Goran Dragić missed four games in the NBA Finals due to a plantar fasciitis injury he suffered in Game 1. The Miami Heat lost the series to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.

February 2021: Scored 26 points against Utah Jazz

On February 26, 2021, Goran Dragić scored 26 points, alongside three rebounds, two assists and two steals, in a win over the Utah Jazz.

August 2021: Acquired by Toronto Raptors

In August 2021, the Toronto Raptors acquired Goran Dragić and Precious Achiuwa from the Miami Heat via a sign-and-trade in exchange for Kyle Lowry.

February 2022: Traded to San Antonio Spurs

In February 2022, Goran Dragić and a 2022 first-round pick were traded to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Drew Eubanks, Thaddeus Young and a 2022 second-round pick. He and the Spurs agreed to a contract buyout five days later.

February 2022: Signed with Brooklyn Nets

On February 22, 2022, Goran Dragić signed with the Brooklyn Nets. He made his Nets debut four days later, recording six points, three rebounds and two assists in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

June 2022: Return to Slovenian Team and Win Over Croatia

In June 2022, Dragić returned to the Slovenian team for the qualification for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. On June 30, he scored 19 points in his first game back, helping Slovenia win against Croatia.

August 2022: Signed with Chicago Bulls

In August 2022, Goran Dragić signed with the Chicago Bulls.

2022: EuroBasket 2022 and Elimination by Poland

In 2022, Dragić played at EuroBasket, averaging 14.9 points as the team's sixth man. Slovenia was surprisingly eliminated by Poland in the quarter-finals.

February 2023: Waived by the Bulls

In February 2023, Goran Dragić was waived by the Chicago Bulls.

March 2023: Signed with Milwaukee Bucks

In March 2023, Goran Dragić signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.

December 2023: Announced retirement

On December 31, 2023, Goran Dragić announced his retirement from professional basketball.

2023: 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualification

In 2023, Dragić participated in the qualification for the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

August 2024: Jersey Number Retired by Basketball Federation of Slovenia

In August 2024, Goran Dragić's jersey number 3 was retired by the Basketball Federation of Slovenia, ahead of his farewell game at the Arena Stožice in Ljubljana.