The Sacramento Kings are coming off their first trip to the NBA playoffs in nearly two decades, entering a crucial offseason that could push the team even further in the years to come. While a majority of the Kings’ young core is already under contract, there are key decisions looming this summer.
Trey Lyles and Harrison Barnes are both NBA free agents in 2023, leaving Sacramento with difficult decisions to make and limited cap space. While there is interest in bringing both players back, especially Lyles after his performance against the Golden State Warriors, another factor will likely come into play.
- Sasha Vezenkov stats (2022-’23): 17.6 PPG, 7 RPG, 1.9 APG, 54.6% FG, 39.8% 3PT
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Sasha Vezenkov is one of the best players in the EuroLeague. A 6-foot-9 forward, Vezenkov was selected with the 57th overall pick by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2017 NBA Draft when he played for FC Barcelona. In the years, since, the 27-year-old won the Greek League MVP, won a championship in the Greek League and made the All-EuroLeague First Team in 2022.
Sacramento acquired the rights to Vezenkov in 2022, trading the 49th overall pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for him. While he remains under contract with Olympiacos Piraeus through 2025, his contract includes a player opt-out this summer.
According to Sean Cunningham of FOX 40 in Sacramento, Vezenkov is 90 percent leaning toward making the jump to the NBA and playing for the Kings next season.
“The Kings have a helluva decision to make with Harrison Barnes. They certainly have an equally tough decision to make when it comes to someone like Trey Lyles and Sasha Vezenkov, who is factored into the equation of coming over after this summer and joining the team. As I have been told, 90% in for coming to Sacramento.”
Sacramento Kings insider Sean Cunningham on Olympiacos Piraeus star Sasha Vezenkov
Vezenkov has emerged as one of the best players in the EuroLeague this season. In February, Giorgos Kyriakidis of Basketnews.com named Vezenkov as one of the leading candidates for EuroLeague MVP.
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It came after a breakout 2021-’22 season in the EuroLeague, when Vezenkov continued to build upon the talent he showed in the early years of his career. He signed a contract extension earlier this year, adding another year onto his deal and guaranteeing Olympiacos a larger buyout if he leaves for the NBA.
“I think [Vezenkov] would be a great fit. I’ve seen where he doesn’t dribble a lot. He’s a guy who can play out of the short, out of the mid-post. He shoots the ball extremely well. For one, if you can shoot the ball well in this league, there’s a spot for you, especially where you’re 6’7″-6’8,” and you can shoot the ball there are a lot of spots for you in this league.”
Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox on Sasha Vezenkov in February )H/T NBC Sports)
Vezenkov is a stretch forward who could provide Sacramento with more shooting and additional rebounding. If he decides to head to the NBA, Vezenkov could be a replacement for Barnes with Sacramento adding additional depth at the wing in free agency.
