Sacramento Kings sign EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov to three-year, $20 million contract
The wait is over. After a yearlong courtship and months of anticipation, the Kings have reached an agreement with Olympiacos star and EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov.
The Kings are signing Vezenkov to a three-year, $20 million contract, agent Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports told The Sacramento Bee on Saturday.
Vezenkov, a 27-year-old forward who led Olympiacos to a Greek League championship and the EuroLeague Finals, later confirmed the news himself via social media.
“To Olympiacos fans. After many hours of thinking in recent days, I have made the decision to explore the NBA world,” Vezenkov wrote in an Instagram post. “Without a doubt, this is the hardest choice I have ever made. Leaving this amazing club after five years, it feels like leaving a piece of my heart behind.
“At Olympiacos, I made my dreams come true, I found a family and the warmest home I could imagine. I gave everything I had in every moment I wore this jersey. In our darkest hours we stayed together, we rose up and we should be proud of what we achieved. Because we fought ... until the end. Words are not enough to thank you. I will carry your support and your love as I start this new chapter.”
The Kings acquired the draft rights to Vezenkov last summer in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the two sides couldn’t agree to a deal prior to the 2022-23 season. The organization has sent a number of representatives 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 joins a forward rotation that includes Harrison Barnes, Keegan Murray and Trey Lyles. Barnes agreed to a new three-year, $54 million contract on Thursday. Lyles agreed to a new two-year, $16 million contract on Friday.
Vezenkov shot 37.8% from 3-point range on 5.2 attempts per game this season for Olympiacos. He has a quick release and gets his shot off in a variety of ways.
“The way we play, he fits in really good,” Brown said. “He shoots the 3 ball. He’s got size. He’s got toughness. He rebounds. All those things are exciting with the way we play the game of basketball.”
