Did the Hornets make a mistake by not trading for Vasilije Micic?

The Charlotte Hornets made one of the best stealth acquisitions at the trade deadline last season, securing veteran defenseman Vasilije Micic in a trade with Oklahoma City that also netted Tre Mann, Davis Bertans and two second-round draft picks. now retired Gordon Hayward.

In just 30 games (21 starts) with the Hornets, Micic averaged 10.8 points and 6.2 assists per game, making him a clear backup to LaMelo Ball heading into the 2024-25 season. But this summer, NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Denver Nuggets had expressed interest in a deal for Micic that would pair him with fellow Serbian Nikola Jokic. Of course, the Hornets kept him, but was it the right decision?

Let’s start by saying that Micic is not a piece of the Hornets’ long-term puzzle. He will turn 31 in January. That doesn’t mean the Hornets can’t have veterans on their roster, but there’s a good chance he won’t be there when the team recovers. Therefore, it would be wise to release him now when his value is at its peak and in return you will get a future second-rounder or someone of similar value in terms of player.

Secondly, it gives more playing time to Tre Mann, who is only 23 years old and can play both with and without the ball. He was outstanding in 28 games, with the Hornets averaging nearly 12 points per game. Micic’s departure could allow the Hornets to use the extra roster space to improve frontcourt depth rather than signing 39-year-old Taj Gibson, who will spend most of his nights as a DNP.

Of course, injuries. LaMelo Ball hasn’t been able to stay on the court the last two seasons, and if he goes down again, Tre Mann will have a lot to offer, probably more than you’d like. Seth Curry or even Cody Martin could take over if needed, but Ball’s injury without Micic would mean they’d have to make an in-season trade or bring in KJ Simpson sooner. Neither is perfect.

Personally, I would make this move. Micic is a fun player to watch and is somewhat of a hidden gem, but I am in favor of increasing Tre Mann’s minutes and adding another attack in the frontcourt. Would it be a risk? Absolutely. However, the Hornets are in their first year with a new regime and aren’t necessarily pushing all their buttons to escape right away. If the worst-case scenario comes true, you’ll get a pretty high pick in what is considered a really good 2025 NBA Draft.

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