As it is, it sounds like Goran Dragic has played his last game in a Toronto Raptors uniform. The 35-year-old is currently away from the squad indefinitely as he deals with personal matters in his home country of Slovenia. A trade or a buyout is seemingly looming and right now, the Dallas Mavericks have emerged as the frontrunners to land Dragic if and when he parts ways with the Raptors.

According to NBA insider Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel, Dragic is personally inclined to join his compatriot, Luka Doncic, in Dallas:

The sense is Goran works his way toward his preferred (and most viable) option of the (Dallas) Mavericks, to close out the season alongside Slovenian compatriot Luka Doncic. But also understand, this is not the equivalent of John Wall insisting he play as a starter in Houston. Goran already has proven amenable to a bench role, something he thrived in with the Heat.

Dragic to the Mavericks sounds like a good deal. As the above report states, Dragic has proven to be a valuable asset for the second unit. The veteran can play both guard positions which will give Mavericks coach Jason Kidd more flexibility in terms of using Dragic off the bench.

At this point, however, Dragic to the Mavericks is anything but a guarantee. Dragic will need to work things out with the Raptors first, who for their part, are still trying to gain as much value as they can from the former All-Star. While it is looking more and more likely that this situation will end up with a buyout agreement, the Raptors are still keen on a potential trade for Dragic.

Dragic made his way to Toronto last summer as part of the deal that sent Kyle Lowry to the Miami Heat. The 6-foot-3 combo guard never really found his groove with the Raptors and he eventually decided to leave the team as perhaps a way to try and force his way out.

Dragic spent seven seasons with the Heat where he played some of the best basketball of his career. It was with the Heat where he earned his first and only All-Star appearance during the 2017-18 season. He's a well-loved figure in Miami too, which is why a lot of fans were sad to see him go during the offseason.

As such, if a move to the Mavericks remains bleak, a reunion with the Heat also remains an option for Dragic. Winderman notes that he will need to take a complex route back to South Beach, but that Dragic returning to the Heat is remains feasible:

First, because of rules that prevent teams from using players’ salaries in trades with a wink-wink agreement to reacquire, the Heat cannot acquire Goran directly from the Raptors. Beyond that, with the latest separation agreement, it is apparent that Toronto at least wants to leave the trade option open, no matter how unlikely that outcome. Even after a buyout, Goran could not re-sign with the Heat this salary-cap year (through the end of June). Basically, the NBA does not allow the system to be gamed in that fashion. And, yes, he would be allowed to sign with the Heat again in the offseason.

The Heat would likely welcome Dragic back next summer especially considering how they will be able to sign him as a free agent. If Dragic really wants to come back to Miami then his potential move to the Mavericks in the interim would be nothing more than some sort of half-season rental.