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Sasha Vezenkov signs extension with Olympiacos

What does this mean for the Kings?
By | 24 Comments | Jan 2, 2023

According to Matteo Andreani of basketballinside360, Euroleague star Sasha Vezenkov has signed a contract extension with Olympiacos Piraeus BC through the 2024-25 season:

In another tweet, Andreani shared the details of Vezenkov’s new deal, which includes no NBA opt-out clause, and the contract will pay Vezenkov 1.2 million euros in 2022-2023 (a bump from his $900k originally scheduled for this season), 1.4 million in 2023-2024, and 1.5 million in 2024-2025. When converted to US dollars, that equals approximately 2 years, $3.1 million over the next two seasons, an understandable raise for a player currently putting up 19.2 points and 7.1 boards on 44.9% shooting from deep for Olympiacos in Euroleague play.

The most concerning part of Vezenkov’s extension may be the lack of an NBA opt-out, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the Kings are out of the running to bring him over this summer – they’ll just have to pursue a buyout, which could get a little pricey. According to NBA rules, in 2023-2024, teams can pay up to $825,000 to buy out foreign players’ contracts with no penalty to the player, to the club, or to the team’s salary cap. Beyond that “free” amount, teams are allowed to pay more to bring a player over; however, that difference is subtracted from the incoming player’s salary, a fact the Kings would need to take into account when trying to recruit Vezeknov in free agency.

Assuming the Kings stay over the cap this summer, which seems most likely, they’ll have two primary tools at their disposal to bring over a stretch-four who could be a key part of their rotation next season. The smaller contract available, and the one that the front office was rumored to be reluctant to use on Vezenkov this past summer, is the bi-annual exception. As its name indicates, teams can only use this exception once every other year, and the Kings will have it available this coming free agency. The bi-annual exception runs for two years, which matches Vezenkov’s current extension, and it pays approximately $9 million. Even with the likely payout from his new salary to buy out his old contract, Vezenkov would be enjoying a hefty pay raise through the BAE.

Of course, money isn’t necessarily everything, and the Kings may feel the need to throw everything they have to bring a potential starting-caliber player over. In that case, management could offer Vezenkov the mid-level exception, which maxes out at around 4 years, $46 million. That may seem like a massive jump from the BAE, but the good news is that the MLE can be shared between multiple players, meaning the Kings could split the difference between the BAE and MLE, say 3 years, $18 million, which would provide Vezenkov with life-altering money without sacrificing the entirety of their primary spending tool, while also limiting the risk of paying a bundle of cash to a player who has yet to perform in the very different NBA.

Although Sasha Vezenkov signing an extension with his current club will make things a little bit more difficult, and a little bit more expensive, for the Kings this summer, they should have every path available to them to bring over their Euroleague MVP candidate. And with Sacramento’s lack of promising options at backup forward, and perhaps starting forward if Harrison Barnes’ contract expires without an extension, the Kings should absolutely be calling Vezenkov’s representation come July.

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Kosta
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January 2, 2023 12:09 pm

he changed his name to “Stasha”.

markdog333
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January 3, 2023 12:47 pm
Reply to  Kosta

When he comes over, we can convert it to “Splasha”

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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Nostradumbass 14
January 2, 2023 12:26 pm

It’s probably just a no-brainer for Sasha and Olympiacos that doesn’t have much baring on Sasha’s future. He signed it for guaranteed money and Olympiacos gets a star player or a possible buyout by the Kings. It’s a wise investment for both. The fact that Sasha can make double, triple, or even more here next summer is all that matters. Unless he likes the big fish in a small pond feeling, I’d imagine he still comes over. The only hangup may be playing time, because he won’t be gunning for MVP here.

Greg
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January 2, 2023 1:37 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Agreed. Seems like a way for him to earn more this season as a reward for how well he’s played, and also ensures his club gets paid if he comes to the Kings. Win-win for them. Not ideal for the Kings, but also not an insurmountable obstacle.

Hobby916
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January 2, 2023 6:27 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

My guess is that he didn’t come over last summer because the Kings had been historically bad. Now that the Kings seem to have their shit together, maybe that entices him more.

RikSmits
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January 2, 2023 11:13 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

It’s not always about money or being the biggest fish in the pond.

Some Europeans don’t like the USA, or the crazy amount of games and amount of traveling, the style of play or the officiating, or how one can be traded without his consent in the NBA, or to be far away from family and home etc.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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Nostradumbass 14
January 3, 2023 8:05 am
Reply to  RikSmits

All solid points.

lutherRackley
January 2, 2023 3:51 pm

Give me a player that doesn’t sign Euro League extensions because he can’t wait to test his skills against the best players in the world.

Falconsfury
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January 2, 2023 5:28 pm

Good for him. Fringe NBA rotation players should strive to earn every $ they can. The average NBA career is under 5 years with end of the bench guys being much shorter.

AnybodyButBagley
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January 2, 2023 7:18 pm

Agent is earning his money.

Sasha gets a raise and never loses his opportunity for an NBA payday. If he comes to the NBA he likely gets a two or three year deal that pays a whole lot more than his current deal. If it all goes to shit in the NBA, which it truly might, he is not stuck on a long term deal and can go back home to the little leagues.

SelecaoKOJ
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January 2, 2023 10:13 pm

The question. Is do you really want to pay a player 4 years 46 million? That will be 28 next season. That has never played in the NBA.

The Kings better hope he wants to jump. They don’t really have any assets or picks to bolster the roster. They will be over the cap.

24-25 Sabonis contract is due
25-26 Fox’s current contract is done

Very small window if Sasha is the supposed missing piece to a championship run.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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January 3, 2023 8:26 am
Reply to  SelecaoKOJ

I highly doubt he gets the full MLE at over $10M per year. For reference, just 6 years ago, the Kings signed Bogi to the largest rookie deal ever paying him around $3M more (about $8M per year) the the #1 pick in the draft. Bogi was 24 years old and coming off a more spectacular season in Europe winning the title, MVP, and named to the all decade team. Sasha is not what Bogi was.

I’d expect the BAE or around half of the MLE at most. Also, his contract won’t effect the re-signing of Sabonis or Fox as the Kings have their Bird Rights and can pay them more than anyone else can, regardless of being over the cap.

If the Kings feel he can be a key rotation piece with with guys like Murray and Barnes, and can replace a UFA like Lyles, then bring him over.

Kingsguru21
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January 3, 2023 9:34 am
Reply to  Adamsite

Look at you Adam! You doing all the salary cap details right and shit! We so proud of you back home, boy!!!!

nonstripedzebra
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January 3, 2023 6:17 am

Im not going to pretend to be a greek or euro league expert, but beyond just the nightly stat line, what’s extremely engaging about Vezenkov is the way he is getting to his production being analogous to what his league role would be. He’s dominating because of his efficiency as a shooter and is adeptness in halfcourt schemes off ball, not from simply being an exception athletically or having sets completely crafted for iso production. He is playing as a super saiyan Joe Ingles. A Khris Middleton in Piraeus.

Just an extremely good cutter, and able to execute in the triple threat or astutely slip or peel for pick and pop’s. And on the break he is sly in flashing out, or striding to the rim . Booster all that with truly exceptional shooting percentages and you have a super role player whose output currently makes him a star. But it’s being done within collective schemes, and an extremely intelligent hoop IQ. Hypothetically that all should be more transferrable.

It’s a huge opportunity especially with the uncertainty of Barnes, alternatives in the 23 market and more broadly the positional scarcity. Obviously you never know if just the half step up in pace will be too much, but I can’t think about many better teams for him to transition to the league with. Sabonis would be a godsend for him to do what he does best. And just broadly the willingness our offense has in moving the rock, it seems very much in ethos for him to highlight his gifts offensively.

Let’s hope he’s a King next year!

Last edited 1 year ago by nonstripedzebra
RikSmits
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January 3, 2023 10:00 am

Im not going to pretend to be a greek

Please don’t. That’s Aykis’ prerogative.

Did you know that the origin for the word “prerogative” is Greek, like so many words?

ScottyPop
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January 3, 2023 7:22 am

Totally forgot about this guy.

What a breath of fresh air. In a typical kangz season I’d be counting on him being Toni Kukoc next season.

UpgradedToQuestionable
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January 3, 2023 10:16 am
Reply to  ScottyPop

I expect/hope him to be more of a taller Bojan Bogdanovic that can board a bit better, maybe. And if he is anything close to that, it is a huge win, IMO.

If we are going to lump him in the NBA collection of European players past and present, Not Bogdan, Not Toni, Not Peja, not Luka not Drazen and hopefully not Davis Bertans (who is good at 3 pointers but seems very one dimensional) but that is his range to me. Bertans to Bojan Bog. Let’s also remember recent King Nemenja Bjelica as another former EuroLeague MVP that came over in his late 20s, for what it’s worth, and again, perhaps another comp worth comping.

rockbottom
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January 3, 2023 7:40 am

Sasha may be a great fit with Domas and allow Keegan to move to small forward , his future position . Keep Barnes on a team friendly deal only and sign Sasha to the 3 year at 18 million .

TheBaker
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January 3, 2023 9:24 am

Need to come up with a clever nickname for Vezenkov.

RikSmits
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January 3, 2023 10:02 am
Reply to  TheBaker

Kosta already came up with one.

murraytant
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January 3, 2023 10:57 am

not sure about all of this- what to make of his extension etc. Seems that he rejected the Kings last summer when it would have been easier, now further pulls away. I see this as a sign that for whatever reason, he just does not want the Kings (or the NBA).
I think this is the break up message.
He is not Bogi- more like Belly and he is getting older.

AnybodyButBagley
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January 3, 2023 12:49 pm
Reply to  murraytant

What I see is a guy who wants an NBA paycheck but doesn’t want to get his ass handed to him for a few years. He is leveraging for a bigger payday while risking absolutely nothing. He is not dumb.

murraytant
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January 3, 2023 4:33 pm

he is not dumb. But can he help the Kings? Avoiding the adjustments to the NBA does not help the Kings. All Euros have adjustments.
He is indeed leveraging his potential -only displayed in Europe- against some big, guaranteed money. But there is a pivot point where the Kings say- too much money for no, as of yet, production.
To help the Kings, he cannot wait and then take 2 years for adjustments. They need the adjustments now so he can help in 2-3 years.
The more he plays this game, the further away any deal becomes. Next year, Kings trade for Markenon or draft a 6/11 PF with a 3 point shot? See ya !

AnybodyButBagley
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January 3, 2023 6:12 pm
Reply to  murraytant

It is yet to be seen if he can help the Kings. Same as any other rookie. Up to the Kings scouts to determine what he is worth and then the front office making the call. He isn’t a King in anyway. Neither are committed to each other. Kings have the opportunity to offer him a deal if they choose to. He has the opportunity to negotiate a deal with the Kings or keep doing what he is doing. In my opinion the G league is a good place for him. He won’t like that though.

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