Sasha Vezenkov Calls Off Meeting With Kings, Will Wait In Europe For Offer
Jul 7, 2022, 11:35 AM | Updated: Jul 8, 2022, 9:12 am
(Photo by Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images)
(Photo by Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images)
In recent days, multiple reports had indicated that Bulgarian forward Sasha Vezenkov was set to travel to Las Vegas this weekend for a meeting with the Sacramento Kings to discuss a potential move to the NBA.
Instead, the 26-year-old has decided to remain in Europe and wait for Kings general manager Monte McNair’s offer before determining his next move.
According to Vangelis Ioannou of EuroHoops.net, the recently-named Greek League MVP has called off his meeting with the Kings and is set to maximize his opportunity of a modest payday from either Sacramento, or possibly net an extension from his current club, Olympiacos B.C. of the EuroLeague.
Vezenkov has until July 20th to exercise the NBA opt-out clause in his contract with Olympiacos.
Sacramento acquired the rights to Vezenkov during June 23rd’s NBA Draft after sending the 49th overall selection to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Vezenkov was originally the 57th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Vezenkov is a 6’9 forward that can play shooting guard, small forward, and power forward positions thanks to his solid frame.
Over 21 games for Olympiacos this season, Vezenkov is averaging 14.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 55 percent from the field and 37 percent from beyond the three-point stripe.
Per Christos Tsaltas of Sports DNA, Sacramento still has $1,017,781 left over from their mid-level exception after signing Monk to a two-year, $19 million deal. The Kings could look to lure Vezenkov to the NBA with a multi-year deal worth in an neighborhood of $4.7 million to $6.9 million:
On the one hand there is the plan for a 3-year contract (2 years guaranteed + 1 year as a team option), with the Kings offering the first year, $1,017,781, the second $1,719,864 and the third $2,019,699, which will also be a team option . In simple words, this contract is for three years, with earnings reaching $4,757,344,
On the other hand, there is the thought of a 4-year contract for the Bulgarian forward, with 2 years guaranteed and 2 as team options. In this particular case the contract could total $6,944,795 with the fourth season earning Vezenkov $2.2 million with the team option.
The interest is there on both Kings general manager Monte McNair’s side and that of Vezenkov, who has said that he is encouraged by Sacramento seeking his rights on draft night.
“I’m excited that my Draft rights are in a club that really wanted to have it. I know the Kings scouted and followed me during the season,” Vezenkov said back on June 29th when speaking to BG Basket. “Not planning to play in Summer League. We will talk soon. Just glad that a team that knows me, has my rights.”
As we move into the opening day of the NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League, it appears as if Vezenkov and the Kings will reach a resolution very soon on a potential deal that could give the franchise another floor-spacing forward to pair with Harrison Barnes and rookie Keegan Murray.
