Former King Signs 5-Year Deal in Greece

Former Sacramento Kings forward Sasha Vezenkov is set to return to Olympiacos.

Dec 14, 2023; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Sasha Vezenkov (7) before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports / Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

After trading Sasha Vezenkov to the Toronto Raptors, the Sacramento Kings seemed to have dodged a bullet. Numerous reports suggested that Vezenkov wanted out of Sacramento, and after granting him that wish in a draft day trade, the Bulgarian forward wanted out of his NBA contract entirely.

The Raptors waived Vezenkov, as he even gave up his entire $6.6 million buyout agreement.

Vezenkov is now signing with Olympiacos in the EuroLeague, where he played before attempting an NBA career. Vezenkov's reported contract is $18.5 million over the next five years.

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 drafted into the NBA in 2017 but remained in Europe until making his NBA debut with the Kings in the 2023-24 season. In his lone season in the Association, Vezenkov averaged 5.4 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.2 minutes per game, with 44.0/37.5/80.0 shooting splits.

Vezenkov was part of a trade that sent him and backup point guard Davion Mitchell to the Raptors in exchange for Jalen McDaniels, ultimately a salary-dumping move for the Kings.

As he heads back to Greece after giving up over $6 million, Vezenkov returns to the league where he won MVP, and will still make $18.5 million. While the Kings were smart to give him up, Vezenkov might have been smarter for pushing his way back to Greece.

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