By Aris Barkas / barkas@eurohoops.net
Vasilije Micic, the Anadolu Efes point guard and former EuroLeague MVP, has traveled to Oklahoma City, according to Eurohoops sources. With the Oklahoma City Thunder holding his rights, discussions about a potential deal can commence this week after the NBA draft on June 22.
Micic was previously linked to a move to the NBA last summer but chose to remain with Anadolu Efes for another season. However, he expressed his desire to play in the NBA.
“I am still showing a desire to go to the NBA. I would like to try myself there,” Micic said in an interview with Eurohoops in July.
Thunder General Manager Sam Presti confirmed that he had conversations with Micic last summer, indicating that they were close to reaching an agreement at one point. Although Micic is currently under contract with Anadolu Efes, Presti didn’t rule out the possibility of future negotiations, stating, “It’s probably a year-to-year thing.”
Micic was initially selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2014 NBA draft as the 52nd overall pick. His rights were later included in a trade that brought him to the Thunder in 2020 as part of the deal involving Vincent Poirier, Terrance Ferguson, and Danny Green.
While Micic is contracted to Anadolu Efes for the upcoming season, still visiting Oklahoma City suggests a potential shift in his future plans.
Micic had implied earlier this week that his future may be in Istanbul speaking after Efes won one more championship title: “If we protect the core for the next season too… I think we have a special team, special individuals. We are a good team. I don’t think we failed this season. I think we have a lot to learn about each other.”
However, the starting point of the Serbian national team, arguably one of the best players on the roster with NBA champion Nikola Jokic and sharp shooter Bogdan Bogdanovic, has all the tools to make it to the NBA.