Jay Triano: Kings will need Sasha Vezenkov to step up in going foward
Feb 8, 2024, 4:02 PM
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 28: Sasha Vezenkov #7 of the Sacramento Kings looks to pass the ball against Dario Saric #20 of the Golden State Warriors in the third quarter during the NBA In-Season Tournament game at Golden 1 Center on November 28, 2023 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Sacramento Kings assistant coach Jay Triano joined “The Drive Guys” Thursday to discuss the team’s loss to the Detroit Pistons, moving past the trade deadline, needing more from Sasha Vezenkov and more.
After a successful road trip where the Kings went 5-2, Sacramento followed that up with a disappointing 133-120 loss in front of a capacity crowd at Golden 1 Center. Just before the road trip, the team lost four in a row and has been up and down throughout the 2023-24 season.
With no moves made at the trade deadline, Triano said the team will need Vezenkov to step up during the second half of the season. The first-year NBA player returned from a brief injury Wednesday night against the Pistons. Through 34 games played, Sasha Vezenkov has averaged 5.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.4 assists on 45.6% field goal shooting.
“We’ve seen signs that Sasha can really shoot the basketball, create space for [De’Aaron Fox and [Domantas] Sabonis out there. The injury kind of hurt him cause I thought he was in a really good space in terms of finding that role,” Triano said. “Sasha is definitely a guy we need to be better in the second half here.”
Additional topics discussed include:
- What happened Wednesday night against the Detroit Pistons
- The vibe inside the lockerroom after a tough loss
- What did the Kings do during its successful third-quarter run and why wasn’t that sustainable?
- Why has the team struggled against defending three-point shots?
- Keegan Murray hitting a slump and getting him more involved in the offense.
- The lack of defensive and offensive consistency throughout the season
- An early scouting report on the Denver Nuggets, Sacramento’s next opponent
Click here to watch and listen to the full interview with Jay Triano.
Listen to The Drive Guys with Kevin Gleason and Kyle Draper from 2 – 6 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140. Subscribe to their podcast here. Follow us on Twitter and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel.
