Report: Kings’ Vezenkov wants to stay in NBA despite rumors originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
Despite conflicting reports last weekKings forward Sasha Vezenkov plans to remain in the NBA through the 2024-25 season.
Mihalis Stefanou of Eurohoops and Matteo Andreani of Basket Inside reported last Saturday that Vezenkov and the Kings were preparing to part ways after just one season together. But sources told FOX40’s Sean Cunningham there is “no truth” to these reports and his desire to leave the NBA.
A source close to Vezenkov told Cunningham that the report was “wrong” and that the former EuroLeague MVP will honor his contract with Sacramento, despite Stefanou’s report that Vezenkov has informed the Kings that he does not plan to return for the second year of his contract. and he was undecided about continuing his NBA career or returning to Europe.
Although sources told Cunningham that the weekend reports were false, Cunningham added that Vezenkov remains frustrated with his lack of playing time during his rookie NBA season with the Kings.
“I’m also told the Kings want to keep him, but there’s also a market for him,” Cunningham wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Sacramento or perhaps another team that offers a larger rotational role remains to be seen.”
While Sasha Vezenkov remains frustrated with his lack of playing time in his first NBA season with the Sacramento Kings, multiple sources have told me there is no truth to the report of his desire to leave the NBA. A source close to Vezenkov called the report “off base” and…
-Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) June 13, 2024
After shining in the EuroLeague, Vezenkov signed a two-year, $20 million contract with Sacramento and tested the waters in the NBA. But his first experience in the best basketball league in the world was no walk in the park.
Vezenkov has been in and out of Kings coach Mike Brown’s rotation, recording nearly a dozen DNPs (Did Not Play).
He also treated back to back ankle injuries which sidelined him for almost 30 games.
In 42 games last season, Vezenkov averaged 5.4 points on 44 percent shooting from the field and 37.5 percent 3-point shooting while adding 2.3 rebounds in 12.2 minutes.
