JULY 13: The signing of Vezenkov is now official, per the NBA’s transactions log.
JULY 1: EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov is signing a three-year, $20MM contract with the Kings, who held his draft rights, his agents tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link).
Reports over the past couple months have indicated that Sacramento was determined to bring Vezenkov stateside and would renew contract talks with the European star once they were permitted to following the draft. Harry Stavrou of Greek outlet Sport24.gr reported last week that the Kings offered the European star a contract for “slightly lower” than the $8.4MM Keegan Murray will make in 2023/24, and that figure turned out to be accurate.
Given his reported salary, Vezenkov will either be receiving part of the Kings’ full mid-level exception if they operate as an over-the-cap team, or he could receive most of their room exception if they choose to use cap room. Both options are on the table based on their previous moves this offseason.
Vezenkov, 27, is under contract with Olympiacos through ’24/25, but has a buyout clause believed to be worth approximately 1.5 million Euros. He talked about being “ready for new challenges” after his Greek club lost in the EuroLeague final.
The 6’9″ Bulgarian forward averaged 17.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists on a sparkling .546/.398/.857 shooting slash line in 33 EuroLeague games this past season (28.7 MPG). Wojnarowski says (via Twitter) the former second-round pick is expected to have a “formidable role” for Sacramento.
Kings are continuing to build a very good team. Like this for them, Sasha will likely be better at those dollars than who SacTown could have picked up in FA.
Which of these forward trios would you rather have for the next 3yrs, KeMurray/HBarnes/Vezenkov, Jaden/KAT/Slo-Mo, Strus/Mobley/Niang, Wiggins/Draymond/Kuminga, RJ/Randle/Toppin or Deni/Kuzma/Kispert? Rank a top3 if possible…
Toppin might not still be in a Knicks uniform, according to all the trade reports, but I’d say the Kings trio has the upside to be ranked right behind the Warriors,and ahead of the Knicks, Wolves, and Cavs..
I know I’d rank Washington last, but the Kings, Knicks, Wolves, and Cavs trios are all pretty similarly ranked. For me, it would just depend on a team’s need to really decide between those four.
Even so, out of those four, I think the Kings could ultimately have the most consistent trio if Vezenkov can produce at a similar level. Then again, I’m also very high on Murray this upcoming season, and I think we will see him take his game to the next level.
I’m not going to be the least bit surprised to see Murray putting up 20pts a game, still with some excellent efficiency ratings, and growing as a rebounder.
If Murray doesn’t take that next step then I’d probably go Warriors, T.Wolves, Knicks, Kings, Cavs, and Wizards..
I feel the same way about Keegan
He’s going to be good off the bench backing up either Keegan Murray or Harrison Barnes.
Lyles for Jaylen
As a kings fan I get the excitement. I understand he was the mvp in euro league. I’m simply worried because he literally doesn’t put the ball on the floor ever. Hey you can never have too many catch and shoot guys , this I know, but something bugs me and I can’t put my finger on it . Idk I hope he balls like a champ, I just think a lot of folks are
As I stated in another article and I will repeat it here. Who’s going to back up Sabonis ?? There are no other Centers on the roster right now. Last year we had 4, now we have 1. Are you going to play Sabonis 48min ?? I think not. Holmes traded; Len, Metu, Queta, FAs. We Now have a lot of wings on this roster w/ the possibility of adding one more in Duarte, if that happens.
Need to sign Christian Wood
Good move ….. depth is always a good thing. Still needs backup center, I agree.