Report: Sacramento Kings offer contract to EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov, but how much?
Under league rules, the Kings are free to begin negotiations with EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov now that the NBA draft has passed, and apparently they have.
Sport24 reported Friday the Kings have made an offer to Vezenkov, who is contemplating a move to the NBA after leading Olympiacos to a Greek League championship and the EuroLeague finals. According to the Greek website, Sacramento has offered Vezenkov some portion of its $12.4 million mid-level exception.
European basketball insiders believe the Kings will have to offer $4 million to $5 million or more to get Vezenkov to consider leaving Olympiacos. Sport24 reported “the amount offered to Sasha” is “slightly lower” than the $8.4 million Keegan Murray is owed next season in the second year of his rookie contract.
The Kings acquired the draft rights to Vezenkov last summer in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers. They have sent a number of representatives from the organization overseas to watch Vezenkov, including chief operating officer Matina Kolokotronis, general manager Monte McNair, vice president of player personnel Phil Jabour, head coach Mike Brown and assistant coach Jay Triano.
Vezenkov, a two-time Greek League MVP, averaged 17.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists for Olympiacos this season. After watching Vezenkov in a playoff win over Fenerbahce, Brown told Greek media he believes the 6-foot-9, 225-pound forward would fit “really good” with a Kings team that produced the highest offensive rating in NBA history last season.
“I tell you what, the way he shoots the ball, we like to get up a lot of 3s,” Brown said. “We space the floor, in my opinion, really, really well. We play extremely fast, and so I think he can be a really effective player in the NBA at a high level, especially with his toughness. He’s not afraid at all and I love that about him.”
Vezenkov is reportedly set to earn $1.62 million next season with Olympiacos and $2.2 million in 2024-25. The Kings can offer him more money and an opportunity be part of the championship-caliber team they are trying to assemble after going to the playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.
Vezenkov’s contract with Olympiacos reportedly includes a buyout clause. NBA teams wishing to sign an international player are permitted to pay a buyout to the player’s international team, freeing the player up to sign an NBA contract. According to BasketNews.com, Vezenkov’s buyout clause is between $1 million and $1.5 million, a portion of which he will have to pay himself.
This story was originally published June 24, 2023 at 4:00 AM.
