Zoran didn't warm up with the team before their next game.
He arrived early. Went through his stretches, his mobility drills, his layup routine—all alone, on the far end of the court. No cameras on him. No teammates asking for extra passes. No staffers double-checking his status.
He was active. But he wasn't moving forward.
The Mavericks were facing the Denver Nuggets, and with Kyrie still sidelined and Klay on minutes restriction, there was plenty of space in the guard rotation. At least on paper.
But Jason Kidd hadn't spoken to him.
Not during practice. Not during the team film session. Not when announcing the active roster.
It wasn't a benching. Not officially.
It was a stalling.
The game tipped off with Anthony Davis anchoring the paint against Jokic. PJ Washington hit an early three. Jaden Hardy drove fearlessly. Max Christie chased Jamal Murray around screens with grit.
Zoran sat in full uniform, eyes focused, breathing calm.
Every time someone turned to look down the bench, he sat taller.
He wasn't just trying to stay ready.
He was trying to be undeniable.
In the second quarter, with Dallas trailing by six, Kidd called out a name.
"Vranes. You're in."
Zoran stood, peeled off his warmup, and jogged to the scorer's table. No words. Just movement.
His first touch was a swing pass that led to an assist. The next: a hesitation pull-up over Christian Braun.
Bucket.
The crowd didn't roar, but they noticed. A few scattered cheers broke through the murmurs.
By halftime, he had seven points, two assists, one deflection, and +6 in his 9 minutes.
No reaction from the coaching staff. No special attention.
But they didn't pull him right away either.
In the locker room, Anthony Davis spoke first.
"Play physical. They don't like being bumped. Especially Jamal."
Klay nodded in agreement. "And if Z gets hot, let him cook."
That last line earned Zoran a few quick glances. Nothing mocking. But curious.
He didn't react. Just sipped water and locked back in.
The second half was a grind. Jokic slowed the game down, surgically picking apart coverages. But Dallas kept pace through hustle and timely rebounding. Zoran got another six minutes in the third, knocking down a corner three and saving a near-turnover by diving out of bounds.
Still, he was pulled with a minute left in the third and never returned.
Final score: Dallas 108, Denver 106.
It was a win. A gritty, unspectacular one.
And Zoran was part of it.
In the postgame locker room, Kidd gave the usual remarks. "Good win. Need to clean up transition D. Proud of the response."
No mention of Zoran. Not even a nod.
Later, Kyrie approached as Zoran tied his shoes.
"Clean game," Kyrie said. "You make it look easy."
Zoran gave a soft smile. "It's not."
Kyrie leaned in slightly. "Just keep stacking. Some guys make the league by standing out. Others by surviving long enough to get seen."
Zoran nodded. "I'll do both."
Back at the hotel, Marko texted again.
"Orlando tried one more time. Nico didn't budge."
Zoran didn't respond.
He put his phone down and sat cross-legged on the floor. In silence.
Then, slowly, he began stretching again.
Not for a game. Not for the next day.
Just to stay ready.
Mavericks Record: 5–2.
Zoran Vranes: 10 PTS, 3 AST, 2 REB, 4–6 FG in 15 minutes.