Raznatovic speaks out on Micic's NBA situation: 'I don't believe this is fair' / News - Basketnews.com

The most famous European basketball agent Misko Raznatovic spoke out about Vasilije Micic's NBA status. According to a 55-year-old Serbian, NBA draft rights rules put his client in an unfair situation.

Vasilije Micic

Team:Anadolu Efes IstanbulPosition:PG, SGAge:28Height:195 cmWeight:92 kgBirth place:Kraljevo, SerbiaProfileNewsStatistics

Micic was rumored to transfer to the NBA last summer. Still, neither did Oklahoma City Thunder give him a lucrative offer, nor was he traded to other NBA teams interested in acquiring EuroLeague MVP.

The point guard stayed in Europe, signed a three-year extension with Anadolu Efes Istanbul, but kept the window open, putting the NBA out clause after every season.

On the recent Urbonus podcast, Raznatovic wanted to publicly discuss the NBA draft rights rules that restricted Micic's NBA market.

"I really planned to go public about NBA rules," Raznatovic started. "Okay, there is no doubt that the NBA is great and is much better than what we have in Europe. But still, you have the situation where one team gets your rights, and then, although you're the best player in Europe, they don't want to trade you, and they don't want to give you the offer."

"And then you'll never play in the NBA, although you're better than 80% of the guys who are there. I don't believe this is fair," he added.

"Generally, they always came to the gentleman's agreement, but sometimes maybe not. So let's say theoretically if Oklahoma doesn't trade him and doesn't give the offer, he's locked in Europe despite his will," Raznatovic pointed out.

He doesn't think that the situation where EuroLeague players have to sacrifice and take a significant pay cut to go to the NBA is right.

For example, many former Real players had to pay a massive buyout to Madrid from their pocket. Facundo Campazzo had to cover almost all €6M buyout to sign with the Denver Nuggets.

Points this season

42%101,6Points made:101,6Accuracy:42,0%Place in standings:30Record max:130Record min:79Best scorer:Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

"I strongly believe that this is not going to happen, but then we have another angle of this. Let's say the team doesn't want to trade him but gives an offer that is twice as small as his market value and contract in Europe.

Then a player has a situation where, okay, if I want to go to the NBA, I really have to pay a lot. Many guys did it, like a few of them from Real Madrid. I believe that's not proper," Misko said on the Urbonus podcast.

"Of course, everybody will say, 'Who are you?' Like, an agent from Europe to discuss NBA rules and then to say that this is not fair or not correct. But I would really like to get somebody to give me an explanation of how this is correct," Misko continued.

"Let's say Doncic. If Dallas didn't want to trade him and didn't want to offer the contract, theoretically, of course, he would have played today for Real Madrid," he added. "Of course, my partner in the NBA,Jeff Schwartz, he's one of the best, maybe, according to Forbes, the best NBA agent. So I am sure that he has the power to fix this situation. But generally, this is not perfectly structured."

The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired Micic's draft rights in a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers in December 2020. Micic was drafted 52nd overall in the 2014 NBA Draft.

According to Raznatovic, Micic has a good chance to sign the NBA contract in the upcoming summer.

"Much more possibilities this season than last year. Because now the timing is right. So we will see," Raznatovic said. "I know that they like him, and he will try to find the solution when the time comes."

"But he's the guy who is like, okay, if I don't go, it's not a big deal. I would like to go, you know, because I am ready for this. But if not, the contract is great, the team is great, he feels good. Maybe he will be Dejan Bodiroga, who never went (to the NBA)? So you don't know for the moment."

BasketNews invite you to watch the entire conversation with Misko Raznatovic about Nikola Jokic, honest phone calls with Vassilis Spanoulis, and what made him the best agent in Europe.

Like what we are doing? Support us by becoming BN+ member.