Ofer Yanai sent an offer to the NBA star: "We are looking for a player like you"

In a surprising twist during the NBA All-Star Media Day in Los Angeles, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo name-dropped Hapoel Tel Aviv's Vasilije Micić, sparking an immediate and humorous response from the Israeli club's owner, Ofer Yanai. Yanai, fresh off landing Micić with an unprecedented summer contract, tweeted directly at the "Greek Freak," playfully suggesting the Bucks star could fill a need at power forward for the red club.

The exchange unfolded as anticipation built for Danny Avdija's potential history-making appearance as the first Israeli player in the prestigious All-Star Game. During the media session, Antetokounmpo expressed admiration for Micić's unique deal, which granted the Serbian guard—who previously played for the Charlotte Hornets—a stake in Hapoel Tel Aviv's ownership. Antetokounmpo highlighted how the contract provided Micić with "one or two percent" of the club, making him one of the highest-paid players in the EuroLeague.

"I don't remember his name right now, but he plays for Hapoel, played in Charlotte. Micić? Yes, Micić," Antetokounmpo said. "So he has equity thanks to this contract, he has one or two percent of the club and he's also one of the highest-paid players in EuroLeague. I don't know how it would work, but if it could happen that I get shares then yes, I'd be happy to be an owner of a team. If I can get shares in anything related to the NBA, I'll take it—if you give it to me, I'll take it."

Seizing the moment, Yanai quickly posted a tweet featuring a video clip of Antetokounmpo's comments. In the message, he wrote: "Hi Giannis, by the way we're just checking the market and looking for a player for position number 4." The lighthearted overture nodded to Antetokounmpo's natural position as a power forward while hinting at the equity model that had already proven successful with Micić.

Yanai's bold move comes after his summer coup in signing Micić to a groundbreaking contract that not only made the guard one of the EuroLeague's top earners but also gave him ownership equity in Hapoel Tel Aviv. The deal set a new benchmark for Israeli basketball, blending high salaries with club investment opportunities for star players.

While few would bet on the two-time NBA MVP actually joining Hapoel Tel Aviv, Yanai's swift and witty response underscores his aggressive recruitment style. As the Bucks star continues to shine in Los Angeles during All-Star festivities, the tweet has injected an unexpected Israeli angle into the NBA spotlight.