The Kings are expected to renew contract talks with EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov in the coming weeks, according to Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee.
After ending their playoff drought this season, the Kings are in position to add another key piece to become a more serious title contender. Vezenkov is under contract with Olympiacos beyond this season, but has a buyout clause believed to be worth approximately 1.5 million Euros.
The 6-foot-9 Vezenkov averaged 17.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists during his MVP season while shooting 53.6% from the field, 37.8% from 3-point range and 87.9% at the free-throw line. He continued his stellar play in the postseason, scoring a championship-game record 29 points along with nine rebounds and four assists in a 79-78 loss to Real Madrid.
Sacramento acquired his rights from the Cavaliers in exchange for the 49th overall pick in last year’s draft. The Kings negotiated with Vezenkov last summer but couldn’t reach an agreement.
Prior to the EuroLeague playoffs, Sacramento coach Mike Brown said the Kings are eager to bring in Vezenkov.
“We’ll let him finish the season out and then we’ll talk to him, but we’ve obviously been highly, highly intrigued with him,” Brown said. “We made a trade to get his rights last year. … For us, the interest is at a high level, but we’ll let him finish the season and then he’ll make decisions as well as us when it’s time.”
Technically, teams must wait until after this year’s draft to begin negotiations with unsigned draft picks, including those from prior years, Anderson points out.
Those negotiations could impact whether the Kings re-sign unrestricted free agent Harrison Barnes. Last year’s lottery pick, Keegan Murray, had a solid rookie campaign and started 78 of 80 games at the other forward spot.
I don’t know, I watched a lot of Euroleague and I imagine Doug McDermott would have done at least as well.
We are talking a league where Mike Jamies and Satoransky are the best players.
well there’s this former Euroleague MVP that’s doing pretty well in the NBA right now… what’s his name, Luke Doncik? something like that…
You mean as a 19 yr old, he was the best player in that league? That actually helps prove the point about the lack of talent.
He was killing the NBA @ 21 does it prove something about the League..?
NBA players already openly discuss that there are a bunch if bums in the league collecting paychecks. But also… go look at Big Dog’s first year in the league, AI, Shaq, Ron Harper, Mitch Richmond, Blake Griffin. All came into the league on fire. When you give the rookie keys to the car and let them shoot 20+ shots a game, they will put up points. Lukas rookie performance is not that unique. But he wasn’t MVP. It’s rare for a young player to be the MVP in the NBA. You have D Rose at 22 and then Giannis and LBJ and Jordan at 24. Again, it speaks to the talent gap.
Kings just need him to be a piece… not THE piece.
Yeah, did I mention we are talking about a league where Mike James and Satoransky are the best players?
Kind of all you mentioned actually…
Still far better prep for the NBA than the NCAA where spoilt jocks play against unsponsored and therefore unpaid players…
The Euroleague, doesn’t neccessarily equate that he will do good here in the NBA. He could be the real deal or who knows. Only time will tell. Hope he comes here and it works out.
I guess bye Harrison. I would have Murray at SF. Find a defensive shot blocking PF next to sabonis.
Future sixth man