By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
The trade deadline ended with Vasilije Micic in Phoenix and practically the countdown for his return to Europe has started.
The only scenario that could have changed that was for Micic to pair up with Nikola Jokic in Denver, but that was not the case. Micic’s NBA contract expires in the summer of 2026. However, the $8,109,150 he is owed next year is not guaranteed, and his extension is a team option.
The former EuroLeague MVP tried the NBA in Oklahoma City and Charlotte, but he couldn’t establish himself in a meaningful role. That’s not expected to happen in Phoenix, where he is projected to be part of the third rotation.
Returning to Europe in the summer of 2025 is more than possible, and Micic has already made known his demands to European powerhouses for something like this to happen.
According to Eurohoops sources, Micic has been in contact with both Anadolu Efes and Panathinaikos, and he wants to return as the highest-paid player in Europe. The benchmark right now is Sasha Vezenkov’s contract, which, according to Eurohoops sources, is $4,1M net per season.
Micic’s deal may end up near $5M net annually, the equivalent of a $10M annual salary in the NBA.
In both cases, the negotiations have not started yet and Micic has a connection both with Efes and Panathinaikos. In Efes, where he won two back-to-back EuroLeague titles, he feels at home while in Panathinaikos he would be coached by Ergin Ataman, his former coach in Efes, who would give him the freedom to be himself on the court.
It has to be noted that currently, Panathinaikos has a crowded backcourt, but if Kendrick Nunn returns to the NBA, then the addition of Micic would make more than sense.
There have been reports also about Micic being in contact with Crvena Zvezda, however, this info couldn’t be confirmed by Eurohoops. In any case, if Micic is a free agent all the top clubs in Europe will be interested in him and even a bid war for his service can’t be excluded.