Kings draft-and-stash prospect Sasha Vezenkov is seriously considering the possibility of making the move to the NBA for the 2023/24 season, reports Marc Stein in his latest Substack story. In fact, Stein says one source believes a deal between the two sides is “trending toward inevitable.”
The No. 57 pick in the 2017 draft, Vezenkov had his NBA rights acquired last offseason by Sacramento. A year later, both the Kings and Vezenkov are coming off hugely successful seasons and may be in a better position to team up than they were in 2022.
The Kings snapped a 16-year playoff drought by posting their best record since 2004/05, while Vezenkov had an MVP-caliber season in the EuroLeague. The 6’9″ forward averaged 17.6 points and 7.0 rebounds per game on .546/.398/.857 shooting in 33 games (28.7 MPG) for Olympiacos and is attempting to lead the Greek club to a EuroLeague title.
Vezenkov is under contract with Olympiacos beyond this season, but has a buyout clause in his deal that’s believed to be worth approximately 1.5 million Euros.
Stein shared a few more tidbits from around the NBA at Substack. Here are the highlights:
- Pistons general manager Troy Weaver is believed to be a major supporter of head coaching candidate Kevin Ollie, according to Stein, who says the belief in coaching circles entering this week’s interviews with finalists was that Ollie was the frontrunner for Detroit’s open position. James L. Edwards III of The Athletic first suggested last week that Ollie may be in the lead for that job.
- After reporting last month that the Mavericks were in advanced negotiations with former Jazz executive Dennis Lindsey, Stein says Lindsey has joined the Mavs as a special advisor to general manager Nico Harrison and will be part of Dallas’ front office contingent at next week’s draft combine in Chicago.
- In the wake of the Suns‘ elimination from the postseason, a league-wide consensus that Deandre Ayton has played his last game for the team is “quickly forming,” Stein writes. We wrote earlier today about the expectation that the former No. 1 overall pick will be on the trade block this offseason.
Jalen Suggs, Wendell Carter Jr, Jonathan Isaac & a 2025 lotto protected 1st to Phoenix for Ayton & Cam Payne would be a smooth move for both teams. Orlando gets their 3rd #1 overall pick & an All-Star level pivot in Ayton. He’s basically the rich man’s Wendell Carter Jr & he should pair extremely well with the Magic’s great playmaking forwards (Paolo/Franz/Bol). If JI is able to come back & play to his potential & if Suggs is able to become the elite lead guard that he was destined to be then this may end up being an overpay for Orlando. But it’s beyond time imo for Orl to coalesce some of those maybes into a sure thing. Ayton is 1 of the top 5 players at his position in the game & he’s just entering his prime. His presence would definitely make Orl a better team. Cam Payne bringing a vet presence to the backcourt would help them too…. Phoenix would downgrade at the 5, but tbh not by much. Carter isnt quite as talented as Ayton but he’s plenty capable of being a starter on a title contender. Suns are obv gonna be looking for a younger pg & I think Suggs & Book could eventually be 1 of the strongest backcourts in the league. Suggs has the temperament, the pedigree & the game to run with legends like KD & Book.
Jalen Suggs can’t shoot and can’t stay healthy. Jon Isaac missed most of the past three years with injuries.
I like Ayton, but top 5? I’d take Jokic, Embiid and Adebayo in that the order. Then in no particular order Siakim, Allen, Brook Lopez, Vučević, Turner and Carter himself all before Ayton.
Even after the Denver series I’d think the Suns are in win now mode after everything they gave up for Durant. If, and that’s a big if the Suns think they can salvage Suggs that’s going to take time that Durant and Suns don’t have.
Why are you always mess up the Magic? Let’s use your team. Hawks give up Collins, Capela and a 1st. Suns send Ayton and Bazley. Collins and Ayton both could use a change of scenery, Bazley and Capela make the salaries work.
I imagine Venzenkov would be easier on the payroll than Barnes. Maybe the Kings sign him and bring back Barnes on a cheaper deal since they have his Bird rights.
How exactly does the draft and stash thing work? Is Venzenkov under contract? Or would Kings have to negotiate with him?
If he wants to sign in the NBA, he can only sign with the Kings, but he’s not under contract yet — the Kings would have to use cap room or an exception to sign him to an NBA deal.
Is Ayton a distressed asset ? His attitude problems went viral last season. Most Suns fans will be fine with any return not spelled d o g.