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Sasha Vezenkov could thrive in Sacramento’s offense

On-paper, the EuroLeague MVP is a great offensive fit alongside De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.
By | 22 Comments | Jun 1, 2023

By Sandra Halank, Wikimedia Commons

On the morning of the 2022 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings traded the 49th overall pick to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for $1.75 million and the draft rights to Aleksandar “Sasha” Vezenkov. Vezenkov is a decorated 6’9” forward currently playing for Olympiacos Piraeus of the Greek A1 Basket League who could fit perfectly in Sacramento’s free-flowing motion offense.

Vezenkov’s production speaks for itself. The Greek Basket League was a breeze for Olympiacos as they cruised to a 22-0 record in the regular season and have not lost a game en route to their championship series that will begin on June 4th against Panathinaikos.

Vezenkov averaged 17.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 59.4 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from three on 3.5 attempts per game over just 23.5 minutes a night in the GBL.

If you want to look at a higher level of competition, Olympiacos participated in the EuroLeague and also led that league in the regular season with a 24-10 record. Vezenkov managed a league-best 17.6 points per game while shooting a ridiculous 65.5 percent from two and 37.8 percent from deep on 5.2 attempts per game.

Tally on 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists each night and that was enough for him to be awarded EuroLeague MVP. Nikola Mirotic, Luka Doncic, and Nemanja Bjelica are the current or former notable NBA players to have won that award within the last decade.

Olympiacos fell one basket short of a EuroLeague championship to Real Madrid in a nail-biter of a finale but they have a strong argument for being the best non-NBA basketball team in the world. While all the numbers, team records, and accolades are impressive, it’s how Vezenkov gets it done that makes his potential move to the NBA, and the Kings specifically, so intriguing.

Let’s start with the shooting. Part of what allowed De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis to have the success they did last season was the ideal spacing surrounding them in the form of Kevin Huerter, Keegan Murray, Harrison Barnes, and Malik Monk. Vezenkov falls into that category of shooter. His aforementioned impressive three-point numbers were achieved while being at the top of the opposition’s scouting reports, which comes with being the MVP.

He’s got a lightning-quick release when need be, range that extends a few feet beyond the three-point line, intelligence when relocating to open areas, and unwavering confidence to let it fly.

NBA defenses are going to be forced to lock and trail Vezenkov when he’s moving through screens off-ball. Open catch-and-shoot looks would be almost surely automatic and converted at a 40 percent rate at minimum for Vezenkov. With teams focused on attempting to contain Fox’s dribble drives or double Sabonis in the post, Vezenkov would get more open looks than ever. 

AS Monaco’s Chima Moneke, who was a member of Sacramento’s opening night roster in 2022-23, recently played against Vezenkov in the EuroLeague semifinals. Moneke shared his perspective on the MVP as someone assigned to cover Vezenkov for stretches.

“He’s featured a lot in their offense,” Moneke told The Kings Herald. “Pick and pops, dribble handoffs, post-ups, spot-ups, and many other ways to get him looks and touches. He’s efficient with his dribbles and gets to his spots. He takes the shots that he wants to take.”

Obviously, Vezenkov wouldn’t be a primary option in Sacramento’s offense but his efficiency with dribbles and off-ball movement should translate well to the next level.

Olympiacos being centered around consistent ball and player movement furthers the parallels with Sacramento’s offense. Cuts and handoffs with Sabonis near the elbow were a staple for the Kings last season, and Vezenkov already has experience finding success in those actions.

“He has great IQ and feel for the game. That’s what makes him effective off the ball,” Moneke said. “He can take pressure off (Fox and Sabonis) by cutting, shooting, and spacing the floor.”

The 2022-23 EuroLeague MVP converted 65.8 percent of his two-point attempts through 34 EuroLeague regular season games. As seen in the above clips, he does an exceptional job using his outside threat to fake and cut backdoor. If a defender takes their eyes off of him for even a moment, Vezenkov either darts to the basket or relocates along the perimeter.

Vezenkov’s lack of athleticism has been mentioned as a potential reason his game could struggle to translate to the NBA, but Moneke strongly disagrees.

“People who say he will only get so far with limited athleticism are ignorant,” Moneke said. “There are many players that have proved that athleticism isn’t the end all be all when it comes to having success in the league.”

Former EuroLeague MVP Nemanja Bjelica is a great example. He used his shooting ability, understanding of spacing and timing, and touch from everywhere on the floor to find offensive success. Trey Lyles managed to do the same thing for the Kings last season.

His lack of lateral quickness could end up hurting on the defensive end of the floor, but when European teams attempted to exploit Vezenkov in the pick-and-roll he often was able to show and recover in adequate time and his off-ball awareness is sold.

In their second-round matchup, Fenerbahce often attempted to target Vezenkov in the pick-and-roll and there were a handful of moments where he was switched onto smaller, faster players with mixed results.

Fenerbahce players in the above clip include former NBA players Tyler Dorsey, Carsen Edwards, and Nigel Hayes. Obviously, Vezenkov is going to struggle if he gets switched onto starting NBA guards, but very few forwards can handle that task.

He just has to not be a liability when defending, which he was successful in doing against some of the best non-NBA teams around all year. Assigning him to similarly sized non-creators while maintaining off-ball awareness and activity should allow him to survive on that end.

Make no mistake, Vezenkov’s appeal comes from what he can do on the offensive end both with and without the ball in his hands.

With his ridiculously efficient shooting from beyond the arc in a variety of ways, intelligent cutting paired with exceptional finishing, consistent effort, solid rebounding, and an understanding of spacing it’s easy to see how Vezenkov’s game should translate.

Swapping from the primary option on a high-caliber team to a role player in Sacramento will be an adjustment. It could end with him appreciating some of the easiest looks he’s gotten in years thanks to Fox and Sabonis or it could be an uncomfortable change of scenery.

“If he gets the opportunities they promise him and is believed in by the coaches then he will contribute without any doubts,” Chima Moneke said.

It seems as though the Kings are hoping to have Sasha Vezenkov on their 2023-24 roster, but nothing is guaranteed. Vezenkov would have to want to come to the NBA. He turns 28 on August 6th, so if he wants to make his way to Sacramento now would make sense.

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Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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Nostradumbass 14
June 1, 2023 8:40 am

I have no doubt Sasha’s offense will translate to the NBA. He’s a gifted scorer with a quick release and high BBall IQ, but I do have concerns about his defense. I think we all can agree that the Kings offense really isn’t a problem (when their shots are falling), but their defense definitely is.

Hypothetically, ff Sasha were to replace Barnes in the starting lineup, do the Kings score more? It’s possible, but how many more points do they give up?

All that being said, if Sasha comes over and the Kings can get him on a good deal inside the MLE or Bi-Annual exception, it’s a good thing.

TheGrantNapear
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June 1, 2023 8:51 am
Reply to  Adamsite

I’m sure Sasha is a worse defender than HB, but HB himself isn’t much of a defender at this point. I also don’t see Sasha starting in year one anyways so I think that angle is a moot point.

All that being said, if Sasha comes over and the Kings can get him on a good deal inside the MLE or Bi-Annual exception, it’s a good thing.

I hope and think they can get Sasha on a sweet team friendly deal, whatever offer he gets from the Kings will be much more than what he can make staying in Europe.

Jack
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June 1, 2023 11:41 am
Reply to  Adamsite

I agree. More positives than negatives. IMO Monty should go after Naz Reid to start next to Sabonis. Vezenkov woulh play next to Lyles off the bench.Youhave some really good shooters off the bench. Mitchell, Monk, Vezenkov, Lyles and a bachup center.

UpgradedToQuestionable
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June 1, 2023 3:14 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

I don’t understand the clamor to replace Harrison Barnes. Before the playoffs, I would argue that he was the regular season’s third best player on Sacramento. He has the “all around game” – mostly he was a stabilizing force all season long. He is an A+ solid citizen and a veteran (11 seasons) with a Championship pedigree. He is in great shape and he was Mr. Reliable – he played 82 games.

In the locker room, he is a mentor for Keegan, Kessler and likely Keon and Queta as well (alliteratively speaking). Delly is gone and as we’ve seen with Miami and Udonis Haslem, motivating and stabilizing vets are an important aspect of the marathon long regular season.

Was his playoffs disappointing? Absolutely. Terribly so.

Expecting Sasha Vezenkov to come over from Olympiacos and be an NBA starter on a playoff caliber team (3rd in the West!) right off the bat is begging for disappointment and a desperate move (IMO).

I’d bet Coach Brown and Co. would not be on board with that. And it would be a major move. I just don’t understand it.

Add to the roster with shooting – Vezenkov, but get help in the frontcourt for Domas and HB and Murray. Re-sign Lyles. Replace Richaun Holmes.

But by all means, keep Harrison Barnes. (IMO).

Jack
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June 1, 2023 4:11 pm

I agree about Barnes in all you said but NB basketball is a business. Barnes doesn’t fit the timeline with the rest of the younger players if you want to move forward with the core. IMO he wasn’t the third go to but the fourth. I believe Huerter was #3. If we bring Vezenkov over IMO I would’t start him. He hasn’t proven he cam play in the NBA and his defense is suspect. If I were to pick the starting five it would be: Fox, Huerter, Murray, Reid and Sabonis Backups: Mitchell, Monk Vezenkov. Lyles and a good backup defensive center.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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June 1, 2023 5:15 pm

It may just come down to cost. Barnes may want in excess of $15M per year over multiple years, whereas Sasha will cost about a 3rd of that. Monte may be looking long term to re-sing Domas next summer. A decision to keep or let Barnes walk may have less to do with his game than it does his cost. As Jack said, it’s a business.

TheGrantNapear
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June 1, 2023 9:03 am

I think if Sasha comes over this offseason, HB is likely gone. This team needs perimeter and interior defense meaning a 3 and D wing and a stretch 4 defender. Minny is pretty maxed out with their big 3 in Rudy, KAT and now ANT likely getting the max this offseason. If we can poach Naz and Alexander-Walker I think that would fill our two biggest holes instantly.
Minny will have trouble resigning those two as they also need to extend Jaden McDaniels.

I would also try and turn KH into Austin Reaves. Reaves is a gamer and can run the offense when Fox is on the bench, essentially you would always have one of the two out there keeping the offense humming. The Lakers can’t really afford Reaves if they want to chase a third star which we know Lebron is going to threaten retirement for if that third star (likely Kyrie) isn’t walking through the door. A sign and trade centered around KH and Richaun for Reaves may work.

Fox
Reaves
KM
NAZ
Domas

NAW, Davion, Sasha, MM, Queta, experienced backup center, draft pick.

I don’t know if all this would work cap wise, but I’d be good rolling into next season with a roster like this.

Jack
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June 1, 2023 11:44 am
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

I like most of it. I would still keep Kevin Huerter.

Jack
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June 1, 2023 11:46 am
Reply to  Jack

There are some backup centers Monty might look at. Eubanks, Landale, Reed and Thomas to name a few.

tom4life2001
June 1, 2023 1:39 pm
Reply to  Jack

Kings are targeting former King’s lottery pick Georgios Papagiannis for backup C role as well.

TheGrantNapear
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June 1, 2023 1:25 pm
Reply to  Jack

Yeah KH on the contract he is on is a great asset, especially after Domas gets paid.

andy_sims
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June 1, 2023 9:06 am

Hell of a writeup and clip package, just professional-grade work.

RobHessing
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June 1, 2023 10:07 am

Vezenkov coming over is intriguing. Brendan writing about Vezenkov is exciting.

Great work, Brendan. Thanks for the heavy lifiting.

murraytant
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June 1, 2023 2:50 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

Brendan- great write up and analysis. Thank you.
You laid it out well- Sasha will help. His offense is very compatible, more so than any draftee.
His defense is not a work in progress but below average. Ok. Good > Bad

While the Kings owe him salary he comes for “free”- no player or top pick expended.

He was acquired with the 49th pick- from the Cavs who used the pick to pick Isiah Mobley, Evan Mobley’s brother. Seems Evan wanted a roommate.

Jack
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June 1, 2023 4:15 pm
Reply to  murraytant

If he comes over which I think he will Monty made a very good trade for a 49.

UpgradedToQuestionable
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June 1, 2023 6:24 pm
Reply to  Jack

A gamble that paid off (if he is as good or better than hoped) and a gamble that didn’t (Jaden Hardy, 2022 2nd rounder at #37 traded to Dallas).

That’s the life of a Real GM. Nobody bats 1.000

macdoogs
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June 1, 2023 5:42 pm

Great insightful article. Love these types of breakdowns.

I’m all for signing him. Not sure what his role exactly will be but Coach Brown sets good lineups with lots of mixes and matches based on alot of different factors. One thing I will be excited for with him is something I feel like we sorely lacked in the playoffs and that was the ability to get buckets on the big stage and in big moments. There were plenty 20+ nights for KH last season before going ice cold in the playoffs and I feel like that’s exactly where he’ll earn his money for us. Our offense is perfectly set up for an offense like his.

We all know we need more defense and there’s not a Kings fan walking who would argue otherwise but our offense fell flat when it mattered most in my opinion and that highlighted our defensive problems more than anything. If Kevin or HB shoot the ball even slightly better, we advance.

He’s not going to break the bank, and he’s going to add to our juggernaut offense, seems like a win win to me.

As much as Domas needs a rim protector next to him, adding more knock down shooters will never hurt and allow him more opportunities to play his game.

Can this season start up already 😩

Hobby916
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June 2, 2023 5:17 am

Great stuff Brenden. Sasha will be a nice addition as a bench contributor playing 20-25mpg.

I see a lot of comments about needing to get a rim protector and better interior defender to help Domas. My view is a little different…it starts on the perimeter!

The perimeter defense was so bad, just allowing the other team to get deep in to the paint and forcing Domas to protect the rim, which he isn’t good at. They need to look at stopping offensive players from getting to the paint first. Find some better wing/perimeter defenders.

Jack
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June 2, 2023 9:26 am
Reply to  Hobby916

I read where a possible trade exsists with Holmes and a second to the Clippers for Terence Mann. Mann can defend 4 positions and even play point guard as he has done before. Also within Monty’s age timeline. Here in its self is the kicker. The Clippers owe Mann 2 mil this year but ballons to 12,5 next year and 13.5 the year after. If this trade goes through then in that first year the Kings get in access of at least 8 mil. Solves two problems. I might even go for Holmes and 2 second round picks. What do you think?

SuperShaka
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June 4, 2023 3:13 am
Reply to  Jack

The Clippers weren’t willing to part with Terence Mann for Fed VanVleet. I don’t think Holmes and 2nds does it for him.

ScottyPop
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June 2, 2023 10:10 pm

Hella impressive article and highlight cut-up, Brendan. Just excellent. Thank you.

ajonez81
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July 1, 2023 9:28 am

Just read this after they signed him, great job I’m even more excited now!!! #LTB

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