Nuggets News: Jamal Murray Uncertainty Forces Nikola Jokic to Plot NBA Reunion With Serbia’s Olympics Hero

THE Nuggets The Denver Broncos had a glorious end to their season, failing to defend their NBA title last season. While everyone expected the team to bolster its roster in the offseason, it struggled to retain its existing roster. Additionally, Denver’s star point guard Jamal Murray looked completely out of shape in Paris. In this uncertain situation, Nikola Jokic & Co. have put the drawing board back on track to secure next season, with a Serbian reunion.

The Serbian team put in an exceptional performance at the Paris Olympics, led by Joker and Bogdan Bogdanovic. In addition to these established NBA stars, basketball fans witnessed an impressive display from two guards, Aleksa Avramović and Vasilije Micić. The hawks They had already planned a Serbian reunion with Avramović, pairing him with Bogdanovic, now the Nugs seem to be preparing to do their thing as well!

While the Hawks must force a buyout to trade Avramović, Denver simply has to call and negotiate with Charlotte. Nevertheless, NBA contributor Marc Stein reported on his website, “The Denver Nuggets are reportedly interested in Vasilije Micić of the Charlotte Hornets. Micic is close friends with Nuggets star Nikola Jokic. The two are teammates on the Serbian national team.”

Vasilije Micić made his NBA debut last season, playing 60 games, including 30 with OKC Thunder and then the Hornets. Considering Jamal MurrayDue to Murray’s unreliable offseason form, the 2023 NBA champions can count on Micić, 30, as their backup point guard. Murray, known for his shooting prowess and unreal ability to score baskets, failed miserably in Paris, representing Canada. He finished the tournament with a 6-point average and a meager 29.0% from the field and 14.3% from three-point range.

Meanwhile, the Serbian guard has shown great versatility coming off the bench. Micić averaged 13.3 points and 4.5 assists in Paris to help the Nikola Jokic-led team secure a bronze medal. He could also be a reliable backup given Jamal Murray’s failure in the conference semifinals, averaging 18.4 points and two disappointments in Games 2 and 6, scoring 10 and 8 points, respectively.

What place does Vasilije Micić have among Nikola Jokic and his teammates in the NBA?

During the offseason, the Nuggets lost one of their championship-winning guards, Kentavious Caldwell-Pape. KCP is an impressive talent with perimeter shooting and defensive skills. And in his place, the Nuggets surprisingly brought in Russell Westbrook at the request of the Joker. However, Westbrook has been constantly criticized for his shooting ability, which has declined significantly over the past 5 seasons.

That’s where Serbian veteran Vasilije Micić could come in handy. After a decade-long professional career in Europe, Micić has become known for his traditional playmaking abilities. Sports Illustrated, The analysis of his previous season gave Nikola Jokic’s compatriot a B grade. Additionally, the report praised the Serbian’s playmaking ability and his fabulous passing techniques. Notably, they also added that the guard’s stat line would rarely “Wow” the community, but it would be enough to ensure that necessary bump.

However, the veteran’s defensive capabilities are limited. Despite standing at 6’5″, Micić doesn’t have an elite wingspan that would prevent him from defending the opposing attack. Still, the 30-year-old could serve as the team’s backup center while Jamal Murray and Russell Westbrook take care of business in the starting eleven.

Before you go, watch the Dual Threat Show hosted by BG12 where the Bulldogs’ Asia Avinger details her experience with Kobe Bryant, her WNBA ROTY picks and more in the video below.