Sasha Vezenkov was a notable signing for the Kings during the 2023 offseason.
The 6-9 forward was the 2022-23 EuroLeague MVP with averages of 17.6 points and 7.0 rebounds per game on .546/.398/.857 shooting splits for Olympiacos. He inked a three-year, $20.0 million deal with the Kings that offseason.
The 28-year-old didn't find a consistent role with Sacramento, however, averaging just 5.4 points in 12.2 minutes per game.
The organization traded him to the Raptors during the 2024 offseason, but reports indicated that Vezenkov could return to Olympiacos instead. He had two years remaining on his NBA contract, including a team option for the third season.
Here's the latest news and rumors on Vezenkov's decision to leave the NBA for the EuroLeague.
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Will Sasha Vezenkov play for the Raptors? Tracking latest news, rumors
July 22
The Raptors announced they have waived Vezenkov, freeing up a roster spot ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Vezenkov will leave all $6.7 million of his contract on the table, per Sportsnet's Blake Murphy. The move, which frees Vezenkov to return to Europe, will not cost the Raptors any money.
July 8
Masai Ujiri provides the following response when asked about Vezenkov's status:
We're still going through that situation. I had conversations with Sasha, his representation, Bobby (Webster, Raptors general manager), coach. And I think that should develop in the next few days or we'll see whether it's a few months. We acquired a player in a trade and we feel we have communicated well. We communicated well with the agent and the team before. And so we'll see how that goes.
July 4
Vezenkov is expected to return to Olympiacos for the 2024-25 season, according to Konstantinos Melayes of Gazzetta.gr.
The 28-year-old forward will have spent just one season in the NBA before reportedly returning to the EuroLeague and the same team he won the MVP with. The Raptors would have to release him to coordinate this move.
Vezenkov reportedly declined an offer from Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens.
July 1
Vezenkov addresses rumors that he's leaving the Raptors for Olympiacos at a sports camp in Bulgaria.
"Right now I'm a Toronto Raptor," Vezenkov said, per SPORT24's Harris Stavrou. "I have to see what they want from me, what their intentions are, but the only thing I really need is to focus to myself and get 100 percent healthy for the next season."
June 29
Following the trade, rumors indicate that Vezenkov may not play for the Raptors at all and instead leave the NBA in favor of a return to the EuroLeague.
Sportsnet's Michael Grange denies those rumors, stating the Raptors "have no intention of waiving him."
So, according to those in position to know, reports that Sasha Vezenkov is leaving NBA to play in Greece are … not true. The former King has 1yr left on his NBA deal, Raptors control his rights, & have no intention of waiving him & expect to have him in training camp. Carry on.
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) June 29, 2024
Vezenkov has two years remaining on his NBA contract, one of which is a team option.
June 29
Vezenkov is close to returning to Olympiacos on a four-year deal, according to Sportando's Alessandro Maggi, who added that the forward would have to reach a buyout agreement with the Raptors to return to the EuroLeague.
June 27
The Kings trade Vezenkov, Davion Mitchell and the 45th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft to the Raptors for Jaden McDaniels, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Sasha Vezenkov stats
| NBA | 2023-24 stats | EuroLeague |
| 5.4 | PPG | 17.6 |
| 2.3 | RPG | 7.0 |
| 0.5 | APG | 1.9 |
| 0.5 | SPG | 0.9 |
| 0.2 | BPG | 0.2 |
| 44.0% | FG% | 54.6% |
| 37.5% | 3-PT% | 39.8% |
| 80.0% | FT% | 85.7% |
| 12.2 | MPG | 28.7 |
| 42 | Games played | 33 |
