Date: November 2, 2024 — Dallas, Texas
The buzz was getting louder.
Not from ESPN or the big networks yet, but the podcasts, the fan forums, the barbershop debates — all of them had started asking the same thing:
"Who is Zoran Vranes?"
The Mavericks were 3–0. A team that was supposed to fall apart without Kyrie, AD barely playing, and no Luka in sight... was thriving.
And a rookie on a 10-day contract was in the middle of it.
Zoran didn't chase the spotlight. He didn't do postgame dances or tweet cryptic quotes. But the results were speaking louder than any mic drop could.
He walked into the practice facility that morning with a gym bag slung low and a hoodie pulled up, earbuds in, eyes focused. Jaden Hardy and Max Christie were already messing around with trick shots on the far end of the court, while Caleb Martin and Gafford were in the weight room finishing up light lifts as part of their rehab.
"Yo, Z!" shouted Jaden. "We going for four in a row or what?"
Zoran gave a simple nod, a half-smirk forming before he shot back, "Only if you hit more than two jumpers this time."
A couple of the players laughed. Jaden mock clutched his chest and threw a towel at him. The vibe was light, but beneath it all, the respect was growing.
They knew.
He wasn't loud. But he was precise.
He played the game like it was a science — reading defenders before they even reacted, making the extra pass without hesitation, and cutting through defensive coverages like a scalpel through fabric.
Jason Kidd called them into a team huddle after warmups. The Mavericks had just reviewed film from their win over Brooklyn, and while everyone was riding the high of a 3–0 start, Kidd's tone was measured.
"Good win," he said. "But we're not playing our best basketball yet. Zoran's been sharp. I want the rest of y'all to match his discipline on both ends."
Zoran didn't react. Compliments didn't change his preparation. Criticism didn't either. He just nodded, checked his laces, and got back into his stance.
He knew the schedule.
Next up: Miami Heat. November 3rd. A home game, but not an easy one. Miami was relentless. Physical. Heat Culture, as everyone liked to call it. Guys like Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, and Bam Adebayo weren't just names — they were habits. Patterns. Systems.
So Zoran stayed after practice. The system had activated a bonus.
> SYSTEMPost-Practice Boost Activated: Shooting Accuracy +3% (Duration: 2 Games)
He wasn't wasting it.
One-hand floaters. Baseline fades. Spot-up threes off double pin-downs. Every shot tracked, every miss recorded.
"Yo, this guy don't stop," muttered Spencer Dinwiddie to Gafford as they walked past. "Kid's out here like he's on a 10-day…"
"He is on a 10-day," Gafford reminded him.
They both looked back.
Zoran wasn't even glancing over. Just caught the ball from the assistant coach and nailed another midrange jumper like it owed him money.
That evening, Zoran finally sat down in his new apartment. His first check had cleared. Nothing massive — it wasn't about the money yet. But it was enough to move out of the hotel the team had placed him in.
It wasn't flashy — one bedroom, solid kitchen, and most importantly, privacy.
No roommates.No noise.Just space to breathe.
He FaceTimed his mother in East LA. She was cutting vegetables while yelling at his uncle in the background. As soon as her face filled the screen, she gasped.
"Mi hijo, is that a new couch?!"
Zoran laughed. "Nah, Ma. It came with the place. I just got something small near the facility. Makes things easier."
His mom paused, looking closer at the room behind him.
"You eat? You look skinnier. Don't let those rich boys make you skip meals."
Zoran smiled. "I'm eating, Ma. I promise."
They talked a little longer, the call ending only when his uncle started blaring a Bad Bunny remix in the kitchen. Zoran stared at the blank screen for a second, the silence of the apartment settling in.
He missed home.
But he wasn't going back. Not yet.
He had work to do.
The next morning, the headlines were finally catching up:
"Zoran Vranes: The Most Efficient 10-Day in the League?" – The Ringer"Mavericks Rookie Turning Heads With High IQ and Low Turnovers" – HoopsHype"Is Dallas' Answer Already On the Roster?" – Bleacher Report
But not everyone was sold.
In the Mavs front office, GM Nico Harrison leaned back in his chair, flipping through advanced stat sheets.
"Player Impact Estimate... Top 10 percentile," he muttered. "Net rating… +12 in his minutes. But we've only seen three games."
A scout across the table, Mike Peterson, added, "Yeah, but he's not hunting numbers. He's just playing winning basketball. Keeps the ball moving, doesn't force shots."
Nico nodded slowly.
"We'll need to see more. Miami and then Memphis… If he stays this consistent, we may need to have a real conversation."
Meanwhile, Nike's regional rep sat across from a junior marketing exec.
"So you're saying he's not interested?"
"He didn't even take the meeting."
"Why not?"
The rep shrugged. "Kid seems... focused. Like laser-focused. Doesn't want distractions."
"Well, maybe we should've spelled his name right on the pitch deck."
The exec blinked. "Wait—what?"
The rep sighed. "Never mind."
Zoran went to sleep that night like he always did — no TV on, no social media scrolling, no noise.
He didn't need the world to scream his name.
He just needed another 48 minutes to prove it.
Zoran Vranes' Season Averages (After 3 Games):PPG: 12.7APG: 4.3RPG: 3.7FG%: 55%3P%: 38%+/-: +10.3