Vasilije Micic joined the X&O’s Chat podcast to unpack his NBA experience. The Serbian guard shared raw insights from his two seasons across three teams.
Drafted by Philadelphia in 2014, Micic’s rights moved to Oklahoma City in 2020. He signed with the Thunder in July 2023.
In OKC, Micic played 30 games off the bench. He averaged 3.3 points and 2.5 assists in 12 minutes per contest.
The Thunder’s structure stood out. “Oklahoma—the best. And let’s say, there are maybe two or three more for sure, but they’re the best as an organization.”
He contrasted NBA franchises. “There are organizations that are really good, but they’re boosted by the players they have. For example, I think that’s the case with Golden State.”
Some teams operate differently. “Maybe San Antonio, from what I’ve heard, is good,” Micic noted.
A February 2024 trade sent him to Charlotte. The Hornets got Micic, Davis Bertans, and picks for Gordon Hayward. Micic started 21 of 30 games there. He posted 10.8 points, 6.2 assists, and 2.1 rebounds on 43.7% shooting.
The backup role didn’t fit. “After trying the NBA for two years, I just… I simply don’t know how to do that.”
He craved primary control. “That style of play gave me like 27-30 minutes with the ball, the stuff that really made me stand out so much.”
Another trade hit in February 2025. Micic joined Phoenix for Jusuf Nurkic and a first-rounder. His Suns stint was brief. Five games yielded 4.2 minutes and no points.
An ankle injury disrupted his time. “I tweaked my ankle against Denver. I played 36 minutes on that ankle and ended up extending my recovery.”
Trades took a toll. “I don’t know how people with families handle these trades, that must be such an agony.”
The Charlotte move shocked him. “When they told me, ‘You’ve got 48 hours, you’re playing in Toronto’ I didn’t understand a thing, honestly.”
Milwaukee acquired him in July 2025. A buyout followed one day later.
Micic played 101 NBA games total. He averaged 6.8 points, 3.9 assists, and 1.8 rebounds in 19.4 minutes.
Defensive growth came naturally. “I learned some things, like, getting into defensive stance on the help side, where to position myself before the play starts.”
Coaches pushed new tactics. “Help from the strong side. In Europe, that’s basically forbidden by decree. Over there, it’s a common thing.”
Charles Lee, Hornets head coach assistant, shaped him. Micic learned faster closeouts on non-shooters.
Kevin Durant’s work ethic stunned him. “I’ve never seen anything like it, seriously. This… this is poetry, this is poetry.”
KD’s routine was meticulous. “He goes at 8. Alone. And the coach. The guy just doesn’t know how to miss.”
Stars felt relatable yet elite. “You can see that these players are just human beings, but a league of their own.”
The NBA reset his market. “My move to the NBA actually reset my market value.”
It wasn’t about basketball alone. “I consciously spent two years in the NBA. Even though it wasn’t satisfying basketball-wise, I preserved my body, I learned a lot.”
Micic signed with Hapoel Tel Aviv on July of this year. The EuroCup champs debut in the EuroLeague.
Stability became a priority. “I think the experience from the trade, which wasn’t pleasant at all, really influenced that decision.”
Five clubs chased him. “Real, Hapoel, Olympiakos, Fenerbahce, and Red Star, up to a certain point.”
Crvena Zvezda got first talks. “The first club I had direct negotiations with was Red Star. The reason for that is simple: I respect Zvezda, and I’m from Serbia.”
Anadolu Efes held deep roots. “You could maybe call it that,” he said of it being home.
Fan dynamics shaped his view. “The five years I spent in Istanbul with Efes really helped me understand that this type of fanatical support is amazing to experience, but only for a certain period of time.”
Hapoel offered a fresh challenge. “I could see a vision there that was similar to what I experienced at Efes: a multi-year project.”
He split with agent Misko Raznatovic in February. “What ultimately tipped the scale were human values, not business.”
Micic now leans on trusted advisors. “I recognized the human qualities in someone like Igor, and I insisted on having a healthy relationship with him.”
EuroBasket fuels his focus. Serbia’s Olympic silver in 2024 drives momentum. Team bonds matter most. “That medal last year — that was the first medal for my generation. Our generation.”
Health is non-negotiable. “Every game is basically a final.”
His shot evolved in the NBA. “I changed my shot a lot in the NBA. Quicker. Possibly also a lower release.”
The game is shifting. “I think the future is that positions won’t exist anymore. Everyone has to know everything.”
Defense now rules. “Defense, which was important before, is even more important today.”
Luguentz Dort amazed him. “The stats of people who play against Luguentz are kind of crazy. Their shooting percentages drop by 70%.”
