The Sacramento Kings are signing Sasha Vezenkov to a 3-year, $20 million deal according to a report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Sasha Vezenkov – a 6-foot-9 reigning EuroLeague MVP – has agreed on a three-year, $20 million deal with the Sacramento Kings, his agents Mark Bartelstein and George Roussakis of @PrioritySports and Nick Lotsos of Team Lotsos tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/zCVsT9gnWk
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2023
The Kings acquired Vezenkov’s rights during the 2022 NBA Draft, trading away a second round pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Kings had hoped Sasha would join them last year, but he opted to spend one more year in Europe. It was a productive year for Sasha, as he walked away with a EuroLeague MVP and came one shot short of a EuroLeague championship.
It was also a financially smart move for Sasha, who last summer was likely looking at the bi-annual exception, a much smaller contract than what he’s reportedly signed to.
This is a big addition for the Kings. Our own Brenden Nunes has previously broken down how well Vezenkov fits the offense that the Kings run. He provides the Kings with yet another big shooter to stretch defenses. True to Monte McNair’s preferred style, Sasha is a player who can come in and contribute right away.
Welcome to Sacramento, Sasha!
So far, so good. This should still leave us with a about $10 million in cap space + the $12.4 NTMLE. What’s next?
What’s next?
A legit big man is still needed.
holding out hope for Wood or Bridges. Looks like we can’t afford Brook any longer.
They could hold onto the MLE. Might need it next year.
I could be wrong but don’t you get the MLE every year?
Yes and no I think. My understanding is that if a team signs a player on a 2-year contract for the mle, it would use the mle for both years. However, I’m not the CBA guru.
Mid level exception (MLE) is every year. Bi-annual exception is once every 2 years from the year you use it
maybe I’m wrong on the MLE. I still wouldn’t use it just for the sake of it. If there’s a player the Kings really want, then fine use part of it. If not, get a backup center on the cheap.
Fantastic! Now we’re a Plumlee or so away from a pretty good offseason.
Yeah, I’d be pretty happy wiyh Plumlee.
You have any thoughts on Mo Bamba?Can he be what we need in a backup C? His stats were ok, but it doesn’t look like he exactly tore it up at any of his other stops.
Seems like he could be had for a pretty reasonable amount.
I think he’s someone you take a flyer on if the price isn’t too high, at this point.
I think Monte will be looking for a more proven player, but I could be completely wrong.
Mo looks good but plays bad. Last year, he played here against Kings and looked very lost. and he has hands of stone wearing oven mitts.
He has such a low motor.
He makes WCS seem aggressive.
Hard pass on Really Slo Mo.
Missed on J. Hayes who “has an inefficient basketball IQ”, Eubanks to Suns from Blazers, Brook pretty expensive and old, Reid signed with home team and Poertl who signed with home team for huge money.
Plumlee out there but LAC are considering starting him and trading Zubac.
Last year, Kings used a combination of Holmes, Len, Q, Metu, Lyles (in small ball). Except for Lyles in limited minutes, did not work.
I like Landale. Better than any of last year’s mess and is an URFA now.
Kings under cap so can take on contract like Duarte for not much- there must be teams out there with far too many centers with salaries that push them too high.
Landale did guard Joker at times. and has a high BB IQ.
Plumlee would be fine but costs too much.
I love the Sasha signing !
and what’s the story with Duarte? Finalized or not. ?
The cap space gained by losing OMP has not been fully utilized as of yet. Right now, this was OMP (#24) for Duarte.
And Kings may have taken Jones with 24 anyway.
Could have had TJD- passed on him 3 times. So they must have had concerns-
Is it possible to run it back without an adequate backup center?
Ya, I was hoping we picked him up at the trade deadline last season. I feel like he where our money set and what we need, he is a great fit.
Acoording to Tim Maxwell, that baby giraffe guy, the Kings still have around $13.5M in cap space.
I think we could easily fit Wood within that space (no pun intended).
that cracked me up.
Wood never saw a shot he has not liked (wood chuck)
An enigma- great talent but never stays long in one place- does not fit in but he does hit the 3 occasionally and gets some boards. But yikes, he scares me.
The hope would be that Coach Brown can get him to buy in.
He’s never played for a good team either, perhaps he changes his ways in this situation.
we could use an adult giraffe.
I believe he advocates, strongly and with utmost conviction, for a Dewayne Dedmon signing.
He can’t stop talking about the guy.
I might be off on that, not sure
Solid MM move to go along with other transactions. MM was pretty confident about this and may have known the forwards would re-sign or be too costly, which could explain barnes transaction. Also can never underestimate barnes leadership and locker room contributions. Just think about those that destroyed chemistry or didnt control the bad influences in the locker room such as …
Waiting on whats next and more consisrent d (good d) after one full year of MB.
Easy to feel real positive, but not like the draft announcers and media who project every choice in the first round to be the great. Seems sac is more realistic after years of pain.
Don’t remind me of the draft announcers, worst draft coverage I’ve ever seen in my life.
second this and ESPN retained that dumbass JJ.
Zero Kings draft analysis, and the second round was all commercials.
i always knew when the kings were drafting because around that time they would break for a commercial, then come back and talk about who got picked AFTER the kings. And according to the media from other cities, the guy they picked is always a cant miss prospect who will turn the team into a championship contender. Apparently these teams never picked a pervis, nick, kyle, jason… not saying these players were not good, but definately drafted above their paygrade.
I noticed that too with the commercials.
JJ sucked.
Bilas surprisingly was off.
The lady sitting next to Malika sucked.
Zero analysis or player comps etc.
ESPN needs a legit competitor.
Welcome to the Beam Team, Sasha!
Let’s see how the remaining cap space gets utilized.
We got Sasha!
SachaMM is killing it with value contracts.
Best of all, with all these players on value contracts, makes a trade down the line much easier.
Agreed.. Makes it more likely to trade for a star with our guys on value contracts. Mcnair and the FO sure knows what they’re doing.
In
Even players already under contract are on great tradeable deals (Monk, KH and Davion and Keegan on their rookie deals). Not saying I want to trade any of these guys, but the flexibilty is advantageous.
This is a big deal.
Stars and significant players are so rarely available as FA’s with how extensions work now.
Tradeable contracts is the new cap space in this NBA economy.
Contracts for Kuz, Bruce Brown, Jerami Grant !, Middleton and even Strus would have been crippling. More guys protects against bad nights, against injury and helps in future trades.
Great move. Let’s go.
A 6-9 shooter with a quick release and a high basketball IQ? Sign me up. Really looking forward to see him on the floor with Sabonis and Fox!
Really excited to see him on the floor with Barnes, ox, fox, Red Velvet.
Really really excited to see him on the floor with Lyles, Spock, Monk and red velvet. That’s some crazy good shooting from all 5 spots!!!!
Kings are deep.
Assuming they sign an adequate big man with remaining cap…they really are 10-11 quality rotation players deep.
They got very lucky last year injury wise. They have some reasonable insurance at most positions and hopefully can survive a few 15-20 game absences.
I think Neemias is already a quality big man to add to that list. Signing someone for him to battle with for the bull of the back up 5 minutes would be pretty damn excellent on my opinion. Hopefully the big they sign is a quick footed, able to guard on the perimeter more while also having some shot blocking skills.
I’m such a homer/still in love… I wouldn’t mind bringing Giles back. His skill set (not knowing anything about his current health etcetera) seems to fit nicely as a back up 5 on this squad. Outside shot ✔️ great passer ✔️ good rebounder ✔️ can guard on the perimeter ✔️
i know I know, sorry. I just love harry Giles. I can’t help it.
Love for Harry Giles, respect! You are a homer.
There is a new rule in the new CBA known as the HG3 rule; it allows players who missed an entire season due to injury to keep that missed year from counting toward the 3yr max service for 2-way contract eligibility.
I agree about Neemi BTW, especially since the team has open roster spots, I like that they brought Len back just so that Neemi has bypass to Len as the backup 5 on merit…proving he is the better option. I doubt Len stays a King the entire year.
Hoping for a Plumlee signing. We need a reliable big who can back up Domas and who is capable of starting if Domas sits out some games. Don’t really like Wood since the guy can’t play defense and has a low BBIQ. I’ve watched a handful of Mavs games last season and most of the time I get frustrated watching Wood play (reminds me when we used to watch Buddy play). Would rather sign Plumlee and have Queta as the 3rd big
Yes please
Have to say, I was unimpressed with his play on the Clippers. (Plumlee). I think he’s overrated.
I feel it was a system issue. LA ran their offense through their wings, Kings run it through Sabonis. Plumlee can handle the DHO, pick and roll, and passing out of the elbow. He could be a poor man’s Sabonis in the Kings system. I wouldn’t judge his 24 games in LA, go look at how he performed in Charolette, Detroit and Denver.
He was coughing up the ball in close games.
Charlotte was a losing team.
A more limited role than he had in Charlotte may remedy turnover issues.
Often it was in the open court, which has nothing to do with the system.
I’m just not sure he (Plumlee) has much game other than hustle and some rebounding.
I was hoping for a Plumlee trade at last year’s deadline mostly cuz Ham persuaded me he could operate the same system as Sabonis, but after watching him on the Clips, he doesn’t seem to have much to give anymore and for a guy whose entire game is predicated on effort, it makes him far less appealing.
Yes, Wood is just a Big Buddy.
I have an inkling this guy is way better than a $6.7 million dollar player. Great signing and can’t wait to see him on the floor.
Defense is still a question.
Purple colored glasses on for this take, but the NBA is about movement (ball and player) and shooting right now, with a dash of “go get my own” when the former breaks down. Kings are set up brilliantly for the former. Got Fox and Monk for the latter. Let’s go!
This deal was so amazing it broke Twitter
I have to say, I’m a bit confused as to why Monte brought back both Barnes and Lyles while also adding Vezenkov. I could see any combo of the three but someone isn’t going to be happy with playing time. Maybe Monte envisions Lyles as the back up 5 more than the backup 4?
Either way, I’m happy Sasha is coming over. I’ve got a good feeling about him.
I’m glad they have high character individuals, who are likely to compete rather than pout.
I’m thinking that might be the plan. A 5-out backup unit with Lyles and Vezenkov as bigs.
This is how I’m seeing the depth chart
Fox Davion Jones
Huerter Monk Ellis
Keegan Duarte Edwards
Barnes Sasha Slawson
Sabonis Lyles Queta
There are somewhere between 10-12 rotation players in there, all of which on tradeable contracts if the White Whale reers its head. I think the minutes breakdown just fine since Lyles is the only guy on the roster that has been able to replicate Domas as the backup 5, even if he is a bit undersized. If you need a truly big dude, Queta is sitting right there. Otherwise, you could run an infinite number of lineups out of this crew. That leaves 3 open roster spots by my count, assuming Ellis, Slawson and maybe Jones are on two-ways. Outside of another Delly type depth option at PG, I’m pretty indifferent as to who fills out the backend of the rotation.
This has been a very calm, cool and collected off-season by Monte. Unspectacular but absolutely air tight moves. Really excited for what the future holds.
Keep in mind, Queta and Ellis are not signed, as of yet. They are RFAs at the moment. Even if Monte brings them back, I’m not sure Queta is ready for NBA minutes. I still want a legit 5 behind Sabonis.
Imo it’d be silly to not keep Ellis and Queta on minimum contracts to sit on the end of the bench after doing pretty much everything you could’ve expected from them in the G League last season. They’re each worthy of being the 4th man at their respective positions. I also just remembered we have Dozier, so to my mind that leaves 2 open spots. Maybe sign Colby to a big boy contract and use the third two-way on a flyer at the wing. One backup center is the last thing on the shopping list.
Completely, and if a G-league MVP can’t find his way to the parent squad, then what is the Stockton team for?
HERE is the list of prior G-League MVPs. How many of them made it to their parent squad?
I count 2 over the past 20 years.
Fizer, Carroll, Livingston, Mason, Frazier, Blue…if I’m not mistaken.
Idk. Maybe I’m missing something.
We still have 9 more days to decide on Dozier. I think he’s gone, personally.
I’d be fine with him staying. I think he just needs a bigger opportunity and he’d likely surprise a lot of people.
I’m 100% sure Queta is ready for NBA minutes.
Yeah, his two main issues still to be resolved are limiting fouls and limiting mistakes, that can only be cleaned with actual NBA mins.
Queta provides the exact qualities needed from Sabonis’ backup 5: size/athleticism/vertical threat/rim protection/and rebounding.
IMO, Queta is already much better than Len, but Len has already proven he can limit those issues (fouls & mental mistakes) that Queta has struggled with in the past. I bet Queta overtakes Len as the backup 5 early in the season.
I really can’t add much to this, except to say, I’m really just excited to see how all this plays out. As Adamsite points out, Queta, and to a lesser extent Ellis are the only real question marks left. Neemie looks ready for the big league, and with his passing, I’m not sure why he can’t replicate a rim-protecting, lob-catching version of Domas. He maybe just needs more time on the floor, to develop that feel, and become a smoother fit with the rest of the lineup. Those necessary minutes may not be available here, but he looked like he was pretty close last time we saw him in Sac.. He could end up being another surprise, and how exciting would it be to see his game reach another level under Mike Brown?
Queta!!!! Release the beast!
There are teams out there with high salaries and too many of one spot- like Orlando and point guards. I think Jones can be the third PG but…
and there may be teams with too many centers- Charlotte?
Under the cap teams can absorb others “over” into their “under”.
Just like MM did not bite on all the high-priced wings, he may not bite on all the high-priced centers.
Mo Wagner, Landale, Bamba (no), but at some point in a critical game a scrub backup center will have to play meaningful minutes for the Kings.
Well said on that theory of the rotation. That sounds pretty awesome to me.
but, oh man, do I miss my Me-too. (LOL)
Agreed. Still need to sign two legit bigs that can actually play. Can’t have two Lens and Richauns riding the bench again.
Neemias is one of the two. In my opinion. I hope that’s the case, I’d be completely happy with that.
Which means… you could potentially offer a back up center legit money to come to sacramento over any other opportunity that might be available to them.
the squad is deep already that’s for sure. Maybe MM and company are looking at things more with Barnes and Keegan being the main SF duo with Lyles and Vezenkov being the main PF duo? Mike brown will have some interesting options for front court rotations which is pretty cool. All 4 of those guys can shoot the lights out. Keegan and Barnes can both play PF obviously. Lyles can play some small ball Center and I have a feeling that Vezenkov can likely do the same. Neemias as a massive body paint presence is nice to have for backing up the Ox. There still seems to be a need for another Center who is also able to play PF with Sabonis at the same time.
Not to dampen your enthusiasm, but Neemie should be a better rebounder than he is, and he does clog the paint a bit.
Well, he won’t be playing with Sabonis so there should still on be one big in the paint at any one time. No different than when Sabonis is in.
Some backup centers still avialable. Hoping we can get one:
Mo Bamba
Mason Plumlee
Thomas Bryant
Jock Landale
Robin Lopez
Dwight Powell
Christian Wood
Wood is too expensive, not a good rim protector, and poor decision maker.
Mo Bamba cannot play basketball. If he could, he’d be on a roster already.
All the other guys are fine to ride pine for the vet minimum. I’ll take one of them.
It’s hard to say what Wood will cost, but I feel like he could fit here nicely. He put up better counting stats than Barnes last season, with slightly lower percentages. He’s a better rim-protector than anyone in the Kings starting squad, and he could help out on the glass.
Either Plumlee or Landale.
I forgot Bryant and Powell.
Give me Dwight Powell, sound player that can run, set picks and space the floor, might be put of our budget however since he if the best remaining free agent and Mavs can’t afford to lose talent. After that I like Thomas Bryant, he killed us last year so he checks that mark and he’s got that nice mid range shot that Sabonis is missing.
Bryan seems to be a good fit, and I like he & Powell more than the rest. With Len back, it all seems moot now in regards to the backup 5.
As some of you have noted, Monte is building a broad talent pool, and not taking any expensive risks. It would sure be nice to see this team grow organically, through the span of Monte’s tenure. Maybe, for once, Vivek has a GM who will outlive his contract. Again, Monte plays the middle of the fairway, while allowing room for some big surprises.
I could see Sasha struggling to adjust to the NBA, and I could see him competing for ROY. Who has the advantage, the young unicorn, (Wemby) or the 28 year old MVP? Monte has definitely chosen optionality, over commitment. Mike Brown will be able to really spread minutes around. That’s a good thing. Is there a chance we end up seeing Sasha in the starting 5 by season end? I put the odds at about 40/60. If he does start over Barnes, at some point, Monte will have more pieces to offer in trade. With, or without defense, the team with the most points always wins!
Yes this was the news I needed after seeing all the other teams make moves. I don’t even know that much about him but I’m excited, gotta have some new guys to enjoy as a fan! In Monte We Trust I’m sure he’s doing the most he possibly can. This team actually had about enough talent to make a run to the finals last year, seems to be a lot of parity these days. We just need a rim protector and maybe a couple other defense first guys (maybe trade for one). Let’s go! Is it basketball season again lol?
Plumlee seems solid I mean I saw Cody Zeller?! getting meaningful minutes last year in the Heat’s finals run so we just need a solid back up.
Lefty sniper.
I like.
Oh shoot, Dame requesting a trade.
https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1675171578517045249
Wow! Finally!
Just pointing out the Monte has left some open space to help any blockbuster trade that may require a 3rd team .
Salient point!
You only have the FO to blame. They must be livid knowing they just signed Grant to that huge contract and now Dame wants to leave Portland.. lol
No one is signed yet, just agreements have been made. If I’m PDX I’m not putting ink to paper on that Grant deal just yet. It could be seen as a dick move by PDX, but considering the new circumstances that water will leave from under the bridge pretty quick.
That would really be shocking if they backed-out on him.
It definitely would be, but would you blame them?
Yes I would. They have been acting like money is no object forever. Now, all of a sudden, they’re jilted, and they’re gonna leave a pawn in their game stranded after the market is dried up? If I were the commish, I’d want something to say about that, and I wouldn’t consider it unfair for player agents to consider it a stigma.
Yeah I don’t think Portland would risk doing that and alienating Klutch sports. Rich wouldn’t allow any of his clients to sign with Portland if they rescind Grant’s offer
And that is why you don’t let a player hold so much power on the roster and organization direction.
Grant is 29, so perhaps they were signing him regardless of Dame’s situation. He’s still young so perhaps they see him as part of the long term core.
Personally I would not have signed him for that much either way.
TheGrant,
I heard today that Dame said he would stay only if the team signed Grant and Draymond. One minute intoFA that was not going to happen when the W’s signed Draymond.
No better time for Twitter to go down. Musk must hate free
speechagency.Seems like Musk has been a champion of free speech.
I noticed Bleacher Report doesn’t have tweets embedded the last few days like they normally do. Not sure what that’s about.
Haven’t been able to embed tweets on this site for a while now as well.
Looks like Twitter is shooting itself in the foot again. Musk just posted this:
“To address extreme levels of data scraping & system manipulation, we’ve applied the following temporary limits:
– Verified accounts are limited to reading 6000 posts/day
– Unverified accounts to 600 posts/day
– New unverified accounts to 300/day”
WTF??? Most apps and sites WANT clicks, not to limit them.
Whew!
Thought maybe it was only my account.
Is elon trying to get us all to pay for better service?
Only 600 posts/day???
WTF.
Yeah. Only 600?
what am I now supposed to do with my time? Work? Interact with my family?
I am livid!!!
I just spit water out my nose. LOL.
Oops, sorry. 🙂
Most apps also want to monetize the info they stole from consumers, they hate the idea of somebody sweeping up all “their” info without paying them!
I wanted Naz for backup, but as expected, he was gone in no time. The alternatives are Plumblee, Bamba, Landale, etc… Are they better than Queta? I don’t think so. I think he has earned the spot, and will get better with experience. Q as backup or use Lyles as small ball 5. I still feel we need a rim protector/rebounder who could shoot. I like Jonathan Issacs(perfect fit barring injury). I have a feeling there is still a deal going to happen with Davion as carrot. Toronto needs a point guard. Maybe Siakam? We could only dream.
This team may shoot 90 3PT shots a game and I’m not altogether sure that would be a bad thing.
Regular season that is fine. But come playoff time someone is going to have to play D and box out defenders on the glass. Still a major concern imo.
wonder if the announcers will call him… “my guy Sasha”?
I bet it’s gonna be Veze (veh-zee)
Cool and hopefully he can make the transition well. On an unrelated note, we still really need a rim protector of some sort or this team is going to be terrible on defense again. I’m a little surprised by all the Queta love from some folks here. I hope he can be a rotation guy at some point but in his limited minutes on an NBA court I think he’s shown very little. Would be a great development story but I really hope that’s not the plan for the backup 5 spot.
I don’t think Queta would be the backup 5 but more of a 3rd string center just like the role Len was playing last season.
Basically the way I see it is we sign another big and have that FA backup Sabonis. Lyles could also be a small ball 5 especially that Sasha is coming over.
Queta is more of a break emergency glass type.
I’m a little surprised by your lack of love. Len was a disaster. It’s hard to imagine Queta being worse. He’s a 23 year old, 7 foot, 2nd rounder, with good passing skills. What are you expecting? It isn’t like he’s James Wiseman. Strange take friend.
How is it strange? He has shown absolutely nothing in actual NBA games in 2 years. He was a second round pick so the odds of him becoming a rotational player at literally any point are very low. I want the Kings to sign a better big man. Simple as that. If he’s your third guy who rarely plays, that’s fine but if he has to play rotational minutes I haven’t seen anything that makes me believe he can be a net positive doing that.
Queta has a tendency to try bulling through guys. He got called on it in summer league last year and in his limited regular season playing time. That’s an issue of feel for the game. That’s a tough one to make up for, its so instinctual. I’m rooting for him, but not sure he’ll get there.
With Lyles and Vezenkov you’ve added some stretch…now some glass cleaner could help (ie Plumlee).
Things are slowing down now, and we may not see much action until the Lillard situation is settled.
Its a decent addition if you’re not banking on it being your “big move”. If he can make a solid contribution then it’ll be on a decent contract, so good job there. I’ll believe it when I see it, though.
What I like is there’s cap room left for an above average player, if they want. Or use some of it to extend Sabonis early and still find a fair / quality rotational wing.
Not putting the cart before the horse with Vezenkov. I just don’t see what everyone’s so excited about. If he came in and gave us Nemanja or better type production I’d be happily surprised.
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