EuroLeague legend should be wildcard trade deadline target for Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks can beat anyone on any given night. They have already proven it this season by handing the Cleveland Cavaliers (26-4) half of their losses and defeating the defending champion Boston Celtics in the NBA Cup.

Despite their encouraging high points, the Hawks are 15-15 with a 7-7 record against below-.500 teams. While Atlanta’s general inconsistencies stem from an unreliable (but improving) defense, the Hawks could also benefit from adding a viable backup point guard to the mix.

With Kobe Bufkin out for the season due to a shoulder injury, the Hawks will almost certainly begin searching for a Trae Young backup ahead of the February trade deadline. Several teams across the league are worth monitoring with many potential trade targets floating around for the Hawks.

One team to watch out for as a potential seller is the Charlotte Hornets. Despite a plethora of young talent, the Hornets are once again a bottom-feeder in the Eastern Conference. Plagued with injuries since the start of the season, Charlotte has put together a 7-22 record.

The Hornets have too many guards to count, and 30-year-old Vasilije Micic could be the odd man out as trade season rolls around. Micic won EuroLeague MVP in 2021 and captured two EuroLeague titles in 2021 and 2022. The Serbian point guard won Final Four MVP – the EuroLeague equivalent of an NBA Finals MVP – in both title runs with Anadolu Efes Istanbul.

Hawks could use Vasilije Micic’s experience and IQ off the bench

While Micic has only played in the NBA for less than two full seasons, he brings nearly a decade of overseas experience to the table. Micic could provide a youthful Hawks roster with cerebral decision-making and veteran leadership from a backup point guard that most teams would sign up for in a heartbeat.

Micic has averaged 7.6 assists per 36 minutes across his 48 NBA appearances. The wily vet plays high-IQ hoops with outstanding awareness and court vision.

However, Micic’s pace doesn’t exactly match up with that of the Hawks. Atlanta plays with the second-highest pace in the NBA while Micic plays for a Hornets squad ranked No. 26 in pace. Micic also became accustomed to a slower brand of basketball in the EuroLeague, but he has adapted to NBA basketball well enough to earn consistent minutes for the most part.

In a way, Micic’s slower style of play could sometimes help calm things down for Atlanta’s mistake-prone offense. The Hawks average the third-most turnovers in the league with 16.7 per game.

In a December 16 article from Bleacher Report titled “Imagining Every NBA Team's Top 3 Trade Targets Right Now,” NBA writer Greg Swartz mentioned Micic as a potential trade target for the Hawks. Swartz listed Micic’s stats as a starter this season to illustrate how the underrated point guard could benefit Atlanta.

In eight starts, Micic has averaged 12.6 points and 6.5 assists while nailing an impressive 40.5% of his 3-pointers. Micic has shown noticeable improvement as a shooter after struggling from beyond the arc last season.

Vasilije Micic could help Bogdan Bogdanovic revive his season

Micic also has experience playing alongside Hawks sharpshooter Bogdan Bogdanovic. The two Serbians won a bronze medal together at the 2024 Paris Olympics, teaming up with Nikola Jokic to nearly take down a Team USA juggernaut in the semifinals.

Bogi Buckets played incredible basketball in Paris, averaging 18.3 points on 46.2% shooting from 3-point range. Given Bogdanovic’s level with Micic running point for Team Serbia, the addition of the Hornets guard could bring Olympics Bogi back from the dead.

In 14 appearances this season, Bogi has averaged 11.3 points on career-low efficiency from both the field and the 3-point line. His constant injury issues haven’t helped either, but the familiar face of a countryman could improve the morale and production of the Serbian bucket-getter. When he is confident and in rhythm, Bogi Buckets is one of the most unstoppable scorers in the league.

In order to trade for Micic’s $7.7 million contract, the Hawks would have a few options at their disposal. They could ship Larry Nance Jr.’s $11.2 million salary and take another Hornets player back in the deal with Micic, or they could combine the contract of DNP-machine Cody Zeller with another non-rotation Hawk and some draft compensation.

In theory, the second option seems like a cleaner and more advantageous course of action for Atlanta. However, Nance’s expiring money might be too attractive for a rebuilding team like Charlotte to pass up on.

Considering the void they need to fill at backup point guard, the Hawks should monitor Micic’s availability as the trade deadline looms. The EuroLeague legend might just be the missing piece for Atlanta.