The Sacramento Kings are focusing on the Golden State Warriors and attempting to advance in the 2023 playoffs. But that doesn’t stop the rumor mill from spinning about the potential of the Kings adding another talented player to what is their best roster in over 15 years.
After a few years of monitoring EuroLeague star Alexander “Sasha” Vezenkov‘s progress, the Kings’ hard work may finally pay off. Venzenkov, who flirted with the idea of joining the Kings last summer, may be willing to make the jump this year. But the 6-9 Olympiacos wing told Sport Klub, a sports television service in Southeastern Europe, that he would come over to the NBA if the situation were right.
“Of course, it’s a dream for anyone who plays basketball. But I don’t think about doing it just to say I did it. If the situation is good, the team wants me and we find a way and an opportunity, something can be done.”
“When I say about an opportunity, I’m talking about being able to have the ability to play and show who I am. At this moment, my mind is on making the Final Four with Olympiacos, nothing else. I want to be in Kaunas, that’s all I think about.”
Vezenkov is having the best year of his career and has led Olympiacos to the best regular-season record in the EuroLeague. The 27-year-old, the leading candidate for 2022-23 EuroLeague MVP, averages 17.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 33 appearances. He has compiled a shooting slash line of .546/.398/.857.
😎😎😎 Sasha Vezenkov ! #bwinMVP
Full 📹 https://t.co/QUMyf10Qtd#OlympiacosBC #TogetherWeFight #WeAreOlympiacos pic.twitter.com/LFy0fMsC9t
— OLYMPIACOS BC (@Olympiacos_BC) April 13, 2023
Vezenkov and Olympiacos’ next EuroLeague contest is in the first round of the playoffs. Olympiacos faces Fenerbahce Beko in a best-of-three series. The winner advances to the Final Four.
Draft and Stash Prospect Sasha Vezenkov May Finally Make The Move To The NBA
One of the most decorated players in Europe, Vezenkov was born in Nicosia (Cyprus) and is a Bulgarian national. Vezenkov began his professional career in 2011 at 16 years old with the Greek club Aries, earning his first Greek Basket MVP in his last year with the team in 2015. He then left for Barcelona (Spain), where he spent three years from 2015-201, despite twice declaring for the NBA draft. After withdrawing from the 2016 draft as an early entrant, the Brooklyn Nets selected him with the No. 57 overall pick in 2017.
Instead of signing with the Nets, Vezenkov signed with Olympiacos in 2018 for two years and then re-upped with the Thrylos for two more campaigns in 2020. Before this year, 2022-23 was his best campaign, earning 2022 All-Euro League First Team honors and his second Greek Basket League MVP award and first Greek Finals MVP.
NBA Rights
The Kings are the third NBA team to hold Vezenkov’s draft rights. Brooklyn dealt him to Cleveland as part of a three-team trade that involved James Harden moving from Houston to the Nets in January 2021.
The Kings acquired him from the Cavs in a 2022 draft day deal for the 49th selection, which ended up being Isaiah Mobley.
Vezenkov is under contract with Olympiacos through 2024. However, he has an NBA-out option that would cost him about $750,000 if exercised.
How Does Vezenkov Fit With the Kings Next Year
Sacramento is enjoying its best season since 2004-05. The Kings won the Pacific division with a 48-34 record and appear on the verge of winning their first playoff series win in 19 years. The Kings took a 2-0 series lead in their first-round Western Conference series over the Warriors on Monday night.
The key to the Kings’ success has been its offense. They led the NBA in offensive efficiency and are ranked in the top-12 in pace, field goal percentage, and 3-point percentage.
If Vezenkov does make the jump this summer, he will become the first Cyprus-born player and third with Bulgarian roots to play in the Association. He would also be a perfect fit for the Kings.
Vezenkov is an outstanding shooter with great positional size. He moves exceptionally well off the ball and can play in the pick-n-roll. The lefty has a nice shooting stroke with range off the catch or bounce and can finish through contact. Vezenkov is also an excellent rebounder.
“Sasha is one of the best shooters who’s got great positional size in one of the best leagues in the world,” Kings general manager Monte McNair told reporters after acquiring him from Cleveland. “Sasha is a guy we see fitting with Domas’ [Sabonis] passing, with [De’Aaron] Fox’s ability to collapse defenses, just another guy who can stand there and hit shots.”
The Kings Have To Restructure Roster This Summer
The Kings have some major decisions to make this off-season. Nine players are currently under contract for 2023-24. Kessler Edwards has a team option, while P.J. Dozier‘s contract is not guaranteed.
De’Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Keegan Murray, and Davion Mitchell are under contract for the next two seasons. Domantas Sabonis and Malik Monk are under control for the upcoming campaign.
Harrison Barnes, Malik Monk, and Trey Lyles are the Kings’ key free agents this offseason. They own three 2023 draft picks, including the No. 24 overall selection.
Sacramento projects to be over the cap if they extend or re-sign Barnes to a long-term deal, which seems likely. However, it may behoove the Kings to renounce the 30-year-old forward, as it would give them around $22 million in cap space. The Kings could clear more cap space by trading or buying out Richaun Holmes.
Whatever the Kings decide to do, Vezenkov figures to have a significant role with the Kings. More than likely, his role would be to provide instant offense off the bench as he would back up Murray and Barnes or his replacement.
