20 April 2023 , 17:27
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Goran Dragic has revealed the reason he turned down a contract extension with the Brooklyn Nets.
The 36-year-old signed with the Eastern Conference side in February 2022 and ended up seeing out the season being swept by the Boston Celtics in the opening round of last year's Play-Offs. The franchise has been through some turbulent times over the last couple of years, as issues on and off the court significantly hindered their progress.
Per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel it was for that reason that the Slovenian opted against remaining in New York, choosing to sign for Chicago before finishing the current season with Milwaukee Bucks.
“I mean it’s part of the business. I know I’m not young anymore. I could have re-signed with Brooklyn, but I didn’t want to be in that situation, because it was a little bit crazy. I just tried to find a team that’s calmer and to be more stable. I thought that would be with Chicago.”
Kyrie Irving missed a plethora of games following his decision to not take the coronavirus vaccine, while Ben Simmons, who was traded to Brooklyn in exchange for James Harden, also failed to make an impact and sat out the majority of the season through injury
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The sacking of inexperienced head coach Steve Nash amid controversies revolving around the players and claims he had ‘lost control of the locker room', compounded the Nets' issues and this season has not been without it's drama as Irving and Kevin Durant have both been traded away from the franchise.
The Nets made the Play-Offs again this season and are on course for another early exit as they trail the Philadelphia 76ers by two games in the opening round of the post-season, while Dragic - who was released by the Bulls in February - is part of a Bucks team heavily favoured to go all the way and claim a second Championship in three years.
The point guard signed for the Milwaukee Bucks last month and will hope to help his team win a championship (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)While his position on a very strong team is that of a role player with limited game time, it is something Dragic has accepted as he looks to complete a first round win over his former teammates.
“I still love basketball,” Dragic added. “So that’s why I’m still here.”
After losing the opener, Milwaukee bounced back to take Game Two with a 138-122 win, meaning the series is tied at 1-1 heading to Miami for Games Three and Four.