The first call came five minutes after the press release dropped.
Not from Orlando.
From Sacramento.
"We can match any short-term deal they offer," said a voice Zoran didn't recognize, smooth and practiced. "You'll get minutes. Davion's been inconsistent, and we like your versatility."
Zoran thanked him, promised to consider it, and hung up.
Three minutes later: Atlanta.
Then Miami.
Then Indiana.
It was surreal. Less than a week ago, he wasn't under contract. Now? Executives were chasing him down. Promises, offers, leverage. Words like spacing, efficiency, floor IQ repeated like magic incantations.
But he wasn't chasing numbers.
He wanted the ball to mean something.
The Orlando call finally came at 4:13 p.m. Eastern.
Marko answered first. Zoran listened in, muted.
The voice on the other end was calm. Steady. No sales pitch.
"We're not offering you flash. We're offering you responsibility. We've watched the film. Your game fits our core. If you're ready, we're ready."
Zoran spoke for the first time.
"Am I signing to play?"
"You're signing to contribute. Starting role is up to you. But yes—we're giving you a real shot. And we don't hold grudges for media storms. If anything, it proves you know how to handle pressure."
He didn't hesitate.
"Send it over."
The deal wasn't massive.
Two-year, partial guarantee. Team option on the second. Immediate roster spot. No G League assignments unless requested. A plane ticket and a jersey waiting.
By 7:00 p.m., the paperwork was signed.
Zoran Vranes was officially a member of the Orlando Magic.
The flight to Florida was overnight.
Zoran didn't sleep. He stared out the window, arms folded, replaying the last two weeks in reverse. Draft night. The cold wings on the table. The silence in the Mavericks' locker room. The slow erosion of clarity.
He hadn't asked to go viral. But maybe it was necessary.
Marko, sitting across the aisle, tapped him lightly.
"You ready for what comes next?"
Zoran's voice was soft. "I just want to play basketball."
When they landed, it was raining.
A black SUV picked them up from the private terminal. No fanfare. No reporters. Just a quiet drive through sleepy streets lit by the glow of streetlamps and the occasional Waffle House sign.
The team facility wasn't far.
And yet, even under cover of darkness, someone was waiting.
Paolo Banchero.
Hands in his pockets, hoodie up, standing under the awning of the entrance. When Zoran stepped out, they locked eyes.
Paolo offered a short nod.
"Glad you made it."
Zoran nodded back. "Glad someone still wants me."
"You're not here as a charity case," Paolo said. "You're here because we're tired of getting punked every time we need a bucket late. We don't need someone loud. We need someone precise."
Zoran smiled faintly. "Then let's be precise."
They didn't do a full onboarding that night. Just gear drop-off, a quick walk through the facility, and medical clearance the next morning. But Zoran stayed.
He didn't want to go to the hotel.
He walked the length of the court in the practice gym.
Back. Forth. Again.
One of the trainers left the lights on for him.
And he started shooting.
By noon the next day, the Magic made it official.
"The Orlando Magic have signed guard Zoran Vranes to a two-year partial guarantee. Vranes will join the active roster immediately."
The statement was short. No fluff.
But the fans didn't care. They flooded the replies with gifs, memes, chants of "#FreeZoran No More."
Orlando sports radio declared it the "most hyped midseason acquisition in recent memory." One podcast opened their episode with a remix of Zoran's highlight reel over a trap beat. ESPN ran a ticker line under the Celtics game: "Zoran Vranes signs with Magic amid league-wide attention."
That evening, Coach Mosley called a team meeting.
It wasn't dramatic.
He walked in, nodded at the guys, and then pointed to Zoran.
"This is Vranes. He's ours now. Play with him, not around him. Don't expect him to talk much. Just watch what he does."
There was a beat of silence.
Then Jonathan Isaac offered a fist bump. Franz Wagner gave him a nod.
Zoran took a seat.
He was back in it.
No longer waiting.
Zoran Vranes: Signed to the Orlando Magic.
Next Game: vs. Milwaukee Bucks. Debut pending.