Vasilije Micic is out of the Hornets’ rotation, pointing to an uncertain future

Veteran Charlotte Hornets guard Vasilije Micic has struggled to start the 2024-2025 season, appearing in just four of the first 11 games of the season.

The disappointing play was immediately reflected in the preseason action, where Micic turned the ball over fourteen times in four games, including four turnovers in each of the last three preseason games. He has cut back on turnovers in the regular season, but still hasn’t had the same impact he had in 30 games with the team last year after the trade from Oklahoma City.

Hornets head coach Charles Lee is well aware of his early-season struggles and has essentially held him out of the rotation when the team had plenty of healthy guards available.

“I stand by what I said in terms of how good a basketball player he is. He continues to work on his body and his game. Not only is he a great basketball player, but he is now a true professional. As much as he wants to play, he wants to compete. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been in our rotation, but it hasn’t stopped him from being the ultimate professional, the ultimate teammate.

“He continues to bring the right attitude and mentality to our gym and our team every game. Talking to our players during timeouts about what he sees. He and I had a few sit-down conversations after the game and stuff, so I I really appreciate everything he is doing now in a situation where unfortunately he is not playing.”

Luckily for Lee, the Hornets are getting a lot more than they could ever hope for out of Tre Mann, who will work his way into the Sixth Man of the Year conversation as long as he doesn’t switch places with Josh Green in the at some point start the setup at the moment.

If Mann is healthy, the Hornets feel good about him being the primary backup to LaMelo Ball, while Micic serves as a third or perhaps even fourth option. Cody Martin and Seth Curry also have the ability to take the lead if needed.

If Micic struggles to find consistent minutes when Mann or other backcourt members are on the shelf, the writing may be on the wall regarding his future with the organization. In fact, it may already be so.

Depending on how the next two months of the season go, the Hornets could look to add an additional experienced backup point guard to replace Micic, or they could opt to go young, leaving Nick Smith Jr. and/or KJ Simpson get more opportunities.

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