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[Saba Sports News] Former NBA veteran Goran Dragic recently shared a remarkable story from his career involving a surprising mid-flight trade.
In an interview on the ‘Thanalysis Show’ with Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Dragic recounted the surreal experience of being traded while flying with his team, the Phoenix Suns, to Toronto.
“We had practice and were flying to Toronto. The trade deadline was at 1 p.m., and we took off at 12:30,” Dragic recalled. “I was sitting next to Steve Nash, took a nap, and when we landed, Steve told me, ‘Sorry G, you got traded.’”
The trade, which happened just before the February 2011 NBA trade deadline, sent Dragic to the Houston Rockets. He immediately grabbed his belongings, left the plane, and flew to Houston, where he suited up the very next day to play against the New Jersey Nets.
This sudden shift highlights the unpredictable nature of professional sports, where trades can happen unexpectedly—even mid-flight. Dragic’s ability to quickly adapt to his new team exemplifies the resilience and professionalism required to succeed in the NBA.
This story has since become one of the more memorable moments in Dragic’s storied basketball career.