Former Nuggets trade target reportedly unhappy with current situation

Rumors were swirling all offseason about player movement and certain veteran rotation players that the Nuggets could target. Especially once Kentavious Caldwell-Pope left the team, it was clear that they would need some reinforcements, 

However, the team had limited resources and wasn’t able to acquire many of their rumored targets. They did their best in free agency, and although early returns haven’t been great, Westbrook and Saric seemed like decent additions in the moment.

The 2024 Paris Olympics provided a fun distraction from NBA offseason discourse, but they also created a fresh batch of rumors. Those were especially connected to the Nuggets thanks to Nikola Jokic's brilliant play.

He lifted the Serbian team to incredible heights and almost carried them past Team USA and into the gold medal game. It was an amazing showing and the way he brought out the best in his lesser-known Serbian teammates was impossible to ignore.

This led to natural rumors about Serbian players joining the Denver Nuggets to join forces with Jokic in the NBA. One of those players, who received specific attention was a current NBA player for the Charlotte Hornets, Vasilije Micic.

Micic, is over 30 years old, and was a legend in the EuroLeague, but finally came over to the NBA last season, playing for the Thunder. But he was buried on the bench and eventually traded to the Hornets as part of the Gordon Hayward deal.

Micic had some nice moments with the Hornets last season, but it seems like he may not be a part of the team’s future plans. He has basically fallen out of the rotation, hasn’t played in the team’s last three games, and according to the Backdoor Podcast, he is unhappy with the team and worried about his own future.

Vasilije Micic unhappy with Hornets

According to reports, teams from Europe like Barcelona and Real Madrid are already eyeing Micic and interested in bringing him back overseas. But maybe there is room for another opportunity in the NBA. 

Acquiring Micic via trade would be fairly difficult and require at least a Zeke Nnaji-level contract going out the door. But if the Hornets are willing to work with Micic on a buyout that would allow the player to hit the open market and he could be free to sign with any team.

The Nuggets have gotten decent play out of some bench players recently, but there is still a clear need for ballhandling and creation off the bench. Micic on a minimum deal could certainly provide that and we already know he has a natural chemistry with Jokic. Appeasing the team’s superstar and bringing in one of his friends also couldn’t hurt.

So, this may be a long shot, but the fact that Micic is already unhappy with his current team and the Nuggets have a clear need for bench help makes this at least an intriguing hypothetical.