By Mihalis Stefanou / info@eurohoops.net
After an up-and-down first season in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings, Sasha Vezenkov may not come back to the franchise for his second contract year.
According to Eurohoops sources, the 28-year-old forward has informed the team about his intention to leave. It is yet to be decided if he will seek another opportunity somewhere else in the NBA or if he will return to Europe. Last year, he signed a three-year 20-million contract, which is guaranteed for the first two seasons.
In his first season in the NBA with Mike Brown’s team, Sasha Vezenkov has averaged 5.4 points and 2.3 rebounds per game in Sacramento, playing a total of 42 games. His two best scoring performances came against the Phoenix Suns, putting up 14 points in each game.
A potential comeback to the EuroLeague by the Bulgarian forward will create huge interest among the best powerhouses in Europe, as Sasha Vezenkov left after being named EuroLeague MVP. If it wasn’t for Sergio Llull’s decisive shot which decided the final game in Kaunas, he would have been named Final Four MVP with Olympiacos, winning the championship title.
Before moving to the NBA, he spent five years with the red-and-white Greek team from 2018 to 2023. Previously, he emerged as a promising talent in Aris from 2011 to 2015, being awarded the MVP award of the Greek League in the 2014-15 season; he also played from 2015 to 2018 in Barcelona.
🚨 Sasha Vezenkov has informed Sacramento Kings that he doesn’t intend to return for the 2nd year of his contract. For now it’s open whether he will continue his career in NBA or he will decide to return to Europe. @eurohoopsGR @Eurohoopsnet pic.twitter.com/AQOnejjMFX
— Mihalis Stefanou 🏀 (@mstef80) June 8, 2024
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images