Sasha Vezenkov named Greek League MVP; calls off Las Vegas meeting with Sacramento Kings
Top international prospect Sasha Vezenkov has reportedly called off his Las Vegas meeting with the Sacramento Kings after winning his second Greek League MVP award.
Vezenkov, 27, was named MVP on Thursday after leading Olympiacos to its first Greek League championship since 2016. Vezenkov had 25 points, six rebounds and three assists against Panathinaikos in the final game of the championship series.
The Kings were reportedly planning to meet with Vezenkov during the Las Vegas Summer League to discuss the possibility of bringing him to Sacramento for the 2022-23 NBA season. Eurohoops.net originally reported Vezenkov would “presumably receive an offer” from the Kings.
Now, the website is reporting Vezenkov will not travel to the United States. Instead, he will remain in Europe while he awaits an offer.
Spotrac’s Keith Smith recently noted the Kings have $1,017,781 remaining from their mid-level exception. The Kings could use that money to sign Vezenkov for up to four years with 5% annual raises, a deal that would pay him nearly $4.4 million over four seasons. Vezenkov could be holding out for all or a portion of Sacramento’s bi-annual exception, which would allow the Kings to pay him up to $8.4 million over two years.
Vangelis Ioannou of Eurohoops.net wrote: “Sacramento has the chance to pay him up to $4.1M per season and if they come with such a contract, it would be evident that they really count on him and want him on their rotation.”
The Kings acquired the rights to the 6-foot-9, 225-pound All-EuroLeague forward when they traded the No. 49 pick in June’s NBA draft to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Vezenkov was selected by the Brooklyn Nets with the 57th overall pick in the 2017 draft. His rights were traded to the Cavaliers in January in a multi-team trade involving James Harden.
While he has yet to appear in an NBA game, Vezenkov has enjoyed a successful career overseas. He picked up his first Greek League MVP award after averaging 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists for FC Barcelona in 2015. He averaged 15.5 points and 7.1 rebounds while shooting 43.4% from 3-point range for Olympiacos this season.
Vezenkov is under contract with Olympiacos through 2024, but his contract includes a $750,000 NBA buyout, according Greek NBA correspondent Christos Tsaltas.
This story was originally published July 7, 2022 at 12:51 PM.
