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DJ 'wanted to kill someone' after sudden 36ers exit
DJ Vasiljevic of the 36ers is seen during the round five NBL match between Cairns Taipans and Adelaide 36ers at Cairns Convention Centre, on October 18, 2025, in Cairns, Australia. Photo: Emily Barker/Getty Images
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New Zealand Breakers recruit DJ Vasiljevic has opened up in his sudden exit from the Adelaide 36ers, revealing his "shock" at the decision following the club's run to the NBL26 Championship Series.
Vasiljevic and the 36ers parted ways on the first day of free agency ahead of the NBL27 season with the sharpshooter quickly snapped up to join Parker Jackson-Cartwright and new coach Gordon Herbert at the Breakers.
But speaking on SEN SA, Vasiljevic said he was out to lunch when his agent called and said the 36ers didn't want him for the final year of his contract, despite being signed as the face of the franchise in recent years.
"I said 'all right, no worries, where can I go play next'," Vasiljevic said.
"(I was told) maybe 10 days after the finals, probably April 15th. This was a Tuesday, I remember it was Tuesday lunchtime, so maybe about 10 days.
"I was really shocked. Honestly, lucky there was no one around at the time... I wanted to kill someone.
"I don't know, just felt shocked and a bit upset by it all. You give everything to the city and the fans and give something to the organisation so much, and they go behind your back and do that. It's pretty disappointing."
As for whose decision it was, Vasiljevic said he didn't know, even though there were rumours of his relationship breakdown with former coach Mike Wells despite the longtime NBA assistant later deciding to return home to the US after signing an extension with the 36ers.
"I haven't heard from anyone," he said.
"I'm just still in the wind trying to figure it out. I know Matt Weston was trying to catch up with me, but we've had to reschedule a few times just because of scheduled clashes, but nothing from the CEO, nothing from the owner.
"(Weston) just texted me and said he wanted to catch up but it hasn't happened yet."
Vasiljevic, who was the captain of the club, said he just wanted to know the reasons behind the decision.
"You guys brought me in when you guys were dead last in the league at the time and I wanted to help try and change the culture, which I thought we did," he said.
"Again, we were two seconds away from winning a championship and they decided to go different ways. So again, that's part of business.
"It's easy for me to pack up three to four suitcases and leave, but when your partner moves over for you, starts her life and has a great job, it's a bit harder on her.
"So that's why I took it a bit heavily."
Vasiljevic has joined a Breakers side which also features Sam Mennenga and Kouat Noi from the Sydney Kings.
