After an incredible run in the 2023 Playoffs and NBA Finals, Nikola Jokic has once again proved to be worth his $276,000,000 contract. Jokic signed his current extension with the Denver Nuggets in 2022, which guaranteed him an annual average salary of $55,080,000. One would think that the Joker’s talents were brought forward to the world through impressive scouting and the networks of his agent. Well, to the contrary, Jokic’s agent Misko Raznatovic revealed how he had signed a generational talent without even meeting or watching him play. Raznatovic took a blind leap of faith just by reading the stats and figures of a young Jokic in local newspapers. Despite garnering incredible stats at a fairly young age, Jokic was relatively unknown, even in Serbia.
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Jokic belongs to a modest family from Sombor, Serbia and had rather humble beginnings growing up. The two-time regular season MVP always loved basketball as a child, watching his elder brothers excel in the game. After being drafted as a 41st pick by the Denver Nuggets in 2015, Nikola Jokic exceeded all expectations to become one of the top players in the league. However, basketball seems like another day job for the Joker, given his humbleness and modesty both on and off the court.
Nikola Jokic’s agent Misko Raznatovic signed him without ever watching him play
Most sports agencies offer players their contracts based on their achievements and accomplishments. For rookies, such agencies have scouts to spot potential clients and prospects. But for Nikola Jokic, everything was a matter of sheer luck and blind faith in his talents.
The Joker’s agent Misko Raznatovic revealed how he signed young Nikola without watching him play. In an interview clip posted by Overtime Europe, Raznatovic discussed how he had first heard of Nikola through a local newspaper. Raznatovic even mistook Nikola for playing with 10-year-olds for garnering incredible stats at a young age. Jokic, at that time, was making around 29 to 30 points and 26-37 rebounds. This surprised and even awed Raznatovic to see stats of such unbelievable stature.
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The Serbian agent called his scouting department to inquire further about Jokic. The scouts revealed how Jokic was not a strong but a versatile and talented player. Furthermore, the Joker’s sneakiness and talent complemented his incredible skills. To this, Raznatovic added:
“I’m a guy who believes in a system, projections, analysis, and I don’t why but I told him – I want to sign this guy, so go to his place, which is like 50 miles from Belgrade, find the family, and talk with them.”
Jokic’s family happily agreed to entrust their ward under Raznatovic’s agency. However, the scouts were surprised to note how they had never noticed Nikola during senior team practices. As a result, they were unable to recognize him.
Raznatovic’s BeoBasket agency made an exception and signed Nikola Jokic without watching him play. A decade after this incident, Jokic is now considered one of the best players in the NBA and the world.
Shaquille O’Neal supports Jokic’s entry as one of the greats of basketball
As Jokic led his team to their first NBA title, Shaquille O’Neal considers this feat incredibly commendable. So much so that he included Jokic in his ‘Big Man Alliance,’ which consists of some of the sport’s greatest players.
Shaq’s ‘Big Man Alliance’ includes the likes of Bill Russel, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, and of course, himself.
