At the start of the summer, we learned that Vasilije Micic would extend his three-year contract with Anadolu Efes, refusing to join the NBA and the Thunder, which has its rights. We knew he was ready to play in the league, but his agent made it clear that “All the elements are there”.
That is to say, concretely playing time and a significant role on the NBA floors. So it wasn’t, as the Serbian point guard / back confirmed to Basket News, after trading with Oklahoma City GM.
“Sam Presti is a great person, he’s a great GM”, declared the MVP of the season and the Final Four of the Euroleague in 2021. “The conversation with him was very helpful. I was totally transparent saying that I couldn’t show myself fully without the ball in my hands or without a clear role. I feel that my game can adapt to all levels and that I can do some good things there. ”
Except that the Thunder is under construction, with a very, very young workforce, and the leader could not promise Vasilije Micic a definitive role. Faced with this uncertainty, the Serb therefore preferred to play it safe and stay in Turkey. “For me, it was too long to wait. “
If he goes to the end of his three-year contract, until 2024 therefore, Vasilije Micic will then be 30 years old. Which will be quite an old age to land in the NBA, but after all, Facundo Campazzo was 29 when he left Real Madrid to join the Nuggets last year.
And Vasilije Milic, if he wants to try his luck in the United States, can count on the support of his former coach in the national team, who has rubbed shoulders with the world of the NBA.
“Igor Kokoskov has been one of my biggest supporters, and I thank him. He compared me to players at this level, to substitute leaders. He told me that I could reach that level, and that I actually was. We had good conversations and I listened to him. I have immense respect for him ” he concludes thus.
