EuroLeague players who could land in the NBA this offseason

Former NBAers, draft prospects, as well as some overseas superstars have caught the league’s attention over the past season. HoopsHype selects a few EuroLeague players who could potentially land in the NBA this summer.

Vasilije Micic

2021-22 EuroLeague stats: 18.2 ppg, 4.6 apg, 1.1 spg, 33.9 3P%

Vasilije Micic has arguably been the best EuroLeague player over the past two seasons. Since 2021, the Serbian guard has been a one-time regular-season MVP, two-time Final Four MVP, and member of the All-EuroLeague 1st and 2nd Team while also being a back-to-back champion with Anadolu Efes.

Micic hasn’t made the jump to the NBA yet, even though he was selected with the No. 52 pick in the 2014 draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. The Oklahoma City Thunder currently hold Micic’s NBA rights, but according to his agent, his rights could be traded to another team.

There have been rumblings around the league that this is the year Micic makes it to the States to play in the NBA, with the Bucks, Bulls, and Nuggets already expressing interest. Micic, in a recent interview, also stated he’s ready to make the jump to the NBA this summer.

At 6-foot-5, Micic can see above most defenders on the perimeter, facilitate the offense, and knock down step-back three-pointers while also attacking the rim and finishing with contact. Many say Micic’s playing style resembles Luka Doncic‘s playing style. The 28-year-old guard elevated his game to new heights during the past three seasons while being trusted by coach Ergin Ataman to take the last shot.

The last time Micic was trusted to take the last shot… he knocked down a buzzer-beating game-winning three-pointer in a EuroLeague semifinal.

Micic could very well be a backup guard in a playoff-contending team next season and live up to the expectations.

Tyler Dorsey

2021-22 EuroLeague stats: 11.4 ppg, 2.0 apg, 0.5 apg, 37.4 3P%

Tyler Dorsey had a great year as Olympiacos’ second-leading scorer in the EuroLeague last season. Earlier this summer, he turned down an extension offer from the Greek team and another offer from Fenerbahce to focus solely on an NBA return.

According to multiple reports, Dorsey had a workout with the Mavericks and could be on his way to Dallas this season. The 26-year-old guard had a short stint in the NBA (2017-2019), with the Hawks and Grizzlies, before moving overseas to play in Israel and Greece. Dorsey is expected to compete with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Greek National Team in the upcoming FIBA Eurobasket.

The former Hawk is an offensive-minded player. He can create his own shot and knock down mid-range jumpers, contested floaters, off-the-dribble threes, as well as catch-and-shoot jumpers. This past season under coach Georgios Bartzokas in Olympiacos, Dorsey had a lot of freedom but at the same time showed maturity in vital moments.

His best option would be to sign a great deal in Europe – after the season he had – but the NBA dream is much more important to him and his family.

Shane Larkin

2021-22 EuroLeague stats: 14.7 ppg, 5.3 apg, 1.3 spg, 38.2 3P%

Shane Larkin has been one of Europe’s best players for the past three seasons. The explosive 29-year-old guard led his team to back-to-back EuroLeague titles with Anadolu Efes while being named in the All-EuroLeague 1st Team this past season.

Earlier in the summer, Larkin signed a two-year extension with the Turkish powerhouse that includes an NBA out clause for this offseason as well. According to BasketNews, Larkin drew serious interest from the Wizards at the start of free agency, but these talks didn’t end up in a legitimate offer. In previous interviews, the former Miami University guard mentioned that he wouldn’t return to the league to be the third point guard of a team. In other words, Larkin would demand a significant role and a guaranteed contract.

Larkin is one the fastest players in Europe. With or without the ball, he can move down the court in a matter of a few seconds. And while coming at defenders full speed, he has the ability to absorb the contact and finish at the rim. Moreover, Larkin is a great three-pointer shooter, despite usually being guarded by the team’s best defender. The last time he played in the league was in 2018. Four years later, he’s a different player.

Sasha Vezenkov

2021-22 EuroLeague stats: 13.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.0 spg, 37.0 3P%

If EuroLeague had an award for the Most Improved Player of the season, Sasha Vezenkov would’ve won it without a doubt. Vezenkov finished third in EuroLeague’s MVP voting and made the All-EuroLeague 1st Team for the first time in his career. He led Olympiacos to the Final Four and two domestic titles in Greece while having a breakout individual year.

After his NBA rights were traded to the Kings, Sacramento was interested in bringing Vezenkov overseas to the States. The 26-year-old forward has until July 20 to negotiate with the Kings and decide whether this is the correct time he makes the jump to the NBA.

Vezenkov is a forward who can spread the floor and knock down the three-pointer at will while also having the ability to crash the offensive glass. His athleticism could be a question in the tempo of the NBA.

Dwayne Bacon

2021-22 EuroLeague stats: 14.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.0 spg, 41.9 3P%

Dwayne Bacon’s rookie season in the EuroLeague with Monaco was a success. The 26-year-old guard, alongside Mike James, led his team to the EuroLeague playoffs and was one win away from the Final Four. Bacon has drawn interest from several European basketball powerhouses this offseason, but an NBA return cannot be excluded.

The former Florida State star last played in the NBA with the Orlando Magic during the 2020-21 season. Throughout his NBA career, Bacon averages 7.3 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.

Bacon’s frame and strength, in connection with his shot-making ability, make him a real challenge for defenders. Unlike other NBA players who travel overseas and struggle in their first season, Bacon only took a few months to adjust and ended up averaging 14.0 points per game – which by European standards is a lot of points. He also shot 41.9 percent from beyond the arc, showing why he’s not only a mid-range old-school shooter.

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