Report: Vezenkov informed Kings he has no plans to return next season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Sasha Vezenkov’s NBA career could be short-lived.
The Kings forward, who tested the NBA with Sacramento last season, has informed the Kings that he does not intend to return for the second year of his contract, Greek journalist Mihalis Stefanou of Eurohoops reported on Saturday.
Currently, the decision is “open” as to whether Vezenkov will continue his basketball career in the NBA or return to Europe, Stefanou added.
After starring in the EuroLeague, Vezenkov signed a two-year, $20 million contract with Sacramento and tested the waters in the NBA. But his first taste of the best basketball league in the world was no easy feat.
Vezenkov was in and out of Kings coach Mike Brown’s rotation, recording nearly a dozen DNPs (Did Not Play).
He also dealt with back-to-back ankle injuries that sidelined him for nearly 30 games.
In 42 games last season, Vezenkov averaged 5.4 points on 44 percent shooting from the field and 37.5 percent from 3-point range for 2.3 rebounds in 12.2 minutes.
Over the course of the season, Vezenkov was honest about self-assessing his NBA progress.
“I’m trying,” Vezenkov told reporters in November. “I try to study the game, study the players. I will never be a lockdown defender, let’s be honest, but I want to be solid. I want to try to help the team and not be in the public eye. And I think I improve every game.
“But I don’t want to talk about myself when they scored 131 points, there’s so much you can say. We didn’t defend well today, everyone. So we have to look at where we can improve.”
The progress was certainly there, and as with any NBA newcomer, so were the problems.
Brown also realized it would take some time for the sharpshooter to adapt to the competition.
“It’s still a work in progress. I continue to see glimpses of him playing at a high level and seeing how he can impact the game on both ends of the court,” Brown said in November. “It will take time. It will take time for him to adapt to the competition and it will take time for us to adapt to him and vice versa. He will play good games and he might have a bad game here.” But he is a man who knows how to play. He really wants it.
“And obviously he has to be guarded on the offensive end of the floor. He does a lot of little things like rebounding and boxing guys and trying to get in the right position to help, but that doesn’t always show up. That’s what can get him over the threshold and get him more playing time if he continues to do so at a high level.”
The standout EuroLeague forward averaged 17.2 points per game while shooting 53.8 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from 3-point range in 38 games played for the Olympiacos. He ranked second in the league in both rebounds (6.8) and two-point shots made (4.4).
He was named the EuroLeague’s Most Valuable Player for the 2022-2023 season.
Despite reportedly wanting to leave the NBA for the time being, the decision ultimately does not rest with Vezenkov. The Kings would have to part with him as he has a guaranteed $6.6 million year through the 2024-2025 season. Sacramento has a team option for 2025-2026 for $6.9 million.
And while his EuroLeague success didn’t transfer directly to the NBA, Vezenkov never lacked heart and drive when his number was called. And just like King’s general manager Monte McNair and Co. it looks like Vezenkov has a tough decision to make this season.
