Ražnatović: “Without the NBA and EuroLeague together, there is no future”

Renowned agent Miško Ražnatović stated that the future of European basketball lies in a collaboration between the EuroLeague and the NBA Europe project. In an interview with SK Croatia, he also commented on the current season, the Serbian teams, the NBA MVP race, and the legacy of Dražen Petrović.

The head of BeoBasket described this year's EuroLeague as a resounding success, emphasizing that the competition's expansion and the entry of new teams have shifted the balance of power. He noted that the presence of Dubai, Hapoel Tel Aviv, and Valencia has brought “new blood” to the league, disrupting the traditional hierarchy.

“It might not be the best EuroLeague, but it is certainly the most interesting we have ever seen,” he remarked. Regarding the Serbian teams, Ražnatović pointed to the significant investments being made, linking them to the country's deep love for basketball.

According to him, Partizan paid the price for a slump in the autumn and winter, as well as the injury to their top player, Carlik Jones. He also mentioned the turmoil surrounding the potential departure of Željko Obradović, which affected the team's performance.

“Once the situation stabilized, the team went on an excellent run and looks very strong. Crvena Zvezda is also outstanding, and a single win will likely determine whether they secure a TOP6 spot or a place in the play-in,” he stressed.

The most significant part of the interview concerned the discussion about a potential collaboration between the EuroLeague, FIBA, and the NBA, in the context of the NBA Europe project. Ražnatović made it clear that without a joint agreement, the development of European basketball will be difficult, despite the NBA's strength.

“Without an agreement and a joint project, it will be very difficult, even if the NBA has enormous organizational and financial advantages,” he stated.

He also highlighted the presence of Chus Bueno in the EuroLeague management, believing he can act as a “bridge” between the two organizations. “The competition is already one of the most interesting in all team sports, but organizational and financial weaknesses must be improved,” he added.

The Serbian agent also commented on the extremely tight race for the NBA MVP award, calling it one of the most exciting in recent years.

He admitted that until a few months ago, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander seemed to be the frontrunner, but the situation has now changed. While acknowledging his own bias, he stressed his belief that Nikola Jokić deserves the award, as he “constantly pushes the limits and does things no one else does.” “Nobody really knows who will win it. It's good for the league to have four players at such a high level,” he said.

Ražnatović also spoke about Dražen Petrović, emphasizing his importance for the presence of Europeans in the NBA. He noted that the Croatian legend was one of the first Europeans to truly establish himself in the top league, even making the All-NBA Third Team — an almost unimaginable achievement for that era.

“He opened the door for everyone who followed. His success back then can be compared to what Europeans are achieving in the NBA today,” he concluded.