Recent Sacramento Kings Player Leaves NBA For $18 Million Contract

Sasha Vezenkov has officially left the NBA.

Apr 4, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Sasha Vezenkov (7) reacts during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Sasha Vezenkov is coming off his rookie season in the NBA for the Sacramento Kings.

He finished the year with averages of 5.4 points and 2.3 rebounds per contest while shooting 44.0% from the field and 37.5% from the three-point range in 42 games.

However, he had a limited role and only averaged 12.2 minutes of playing time per game.

Apr 14, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Sasha Vezenkov (7) looks to shoot the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers in the fourth quarter at the Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports / Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Recently, the Kings traded Vezenkov to the Toronto Raptors.

The Raptors then waived the 28-year-old.

Via Keith Smith of Spotrac on July 22: "Sasha Vezenkov gave up his entire $6.6M salary in a buyout from the Toronto Raptors, a league source tells @spotrac."

Sasha Vezenkov gave up his entire $6.6M salary in a buyout from the Toronto Raptors, a league source tells @spotrac.

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 22, 2024

On Thursday, it was announced that Vezenkov is headed back to Greece (h/t Alberto De Roa of HoopsHype).

Via Evan Sidery: "Sasha Vezenkov officially signed a five-year, $18.5 million contract with EuroLeague’s Olympiacos.

Vezenkov spent one year in the NBA before returning to Greece for likely the remainder of his career."

Sasha Vezenkov officially signed a five-year, $18.5 million contract with EuroLeague’s Olympiacos.

Vezenkov spent one year in the NBA before returning to Greece for likely the remainder of his career. pic.twitter.com/gLZf3vx5FZ

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 25, 2024

Vezenkov was initially the 57th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

He won the 2023 EuroLeague MVP.

Via BasketNews: "Olympiacos are shaking up the EuroLeague with these off-season signings 😎✍️

🇧🇬 Sasha Vezenkov 🇺🇸 Keenan Evans 🇦🇷 Luca Vildoza 🇬🇷 Tyler Dorsey"

Olympiacos are shaking up the EuroLeague with these off-season signings 😎✍️

🇧🇬 Sasha Vezenkov
🇺🇸 Keenan Evans
🇦🇷 Luca Vildoza
🇬🇷 Tyler Dorsey pic.twitter.com/4c44DsNNBK

— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) July 25, 2024

As for the Kings, they are coming off a season where they were the ninth seed in the Western Conference with a 46-36 record.

They lost to the New Orleans Pelicans in the play-in tournament, so they missed the playoffs.

That said, the Kings have a talented roster that is led by De'Aaron Fox, DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis heading into the 2025 season.