This surprise player recruited Goran Dragic to the Nets
Goran Dragic signed with the Brooklyn Nets on Monday and it became official on Tuesday. A day later, Dragic spoke with the media for the first time after practice.
Dragic revealed that he chose Brooklyn out of a total of six contenders and his relationship with Steve Nash played a big role in his decision. Nash and the Nets met with Dragic on Friday and two days later Shams Charania broke the news that he’d be signing with Brooklyn (subscription required) for the remainder of the 2021-22 season.
Dragic said that playing with the team’s newly formed Big Three and reuniting with Nash played a role in his decision, although there was a certain surprise player in particular who recruited the point guard.
Kevin Durant texted Dragic but that doesn’t come as a shock because Durant is the face of Brooklyn’s franchise. What is surprising is that Dragic revealed that Ben Simmons texted him during the recruitment process.
Goran Dragic said he picked the #Nets from among a group of six contenders to play with the new Big 3 and for his mentor Steve Nash. Adds KD, Ben Simmons and others texted him in the recruitment process. Sounds different than Zion in NOLA. #nba
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) February 23, 2022
Ben Simmons recruited Goran Dragic to sign with the Brooklyn Nets.
Simmons hadn’t even been on the Nets for a whole two weeks and he was already trying to make Brooklyn better without having played in a single game.
To be honest, it’d be hard enough for Dragic to turn down the opportunity to play with KD. It speaks volumes that Simmons was part of the process as well.
Dragic also mentioned that Andre Drummond texted him, too. The two of them share a workout coach in Miami, which is where Dragic eventually returned to after he left Toronto last November.
Nash wouldn’t say what he said to Dragic to persuade him to join the Nets but it was obviously convincing.
Steve Nash on how he recruited Goran Dragic to the Nets: “When you recruit, you never give away your secrets.”
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) February 23, 2022
Nash when @Alex__Schiffer followed up: “I didn’t say anything. That’s what don’t give away your secrets means. I don’t give away those details.” 🤣🤣
We won’t know what exactly Durant, Simmons, or Drummond said to Dragic either, although it’d be interesting to find out.
Brooklyn’s goal has been to win a championship, which is why the team was chosen as the preseason title favorites. The Nets have hit plenty of bumps in the road but now that the James Harden trade is in the past, it seems like Brooklyn’s on the right path following the All-Star break.
Sure, Nash deserves the credit for luring Dragic to the Nets, but we all know why he’s there. He wants to win a ring and he’ll have a chance to do that with Simmons, KD, and Drummond at his side.
