Will Sasha Vezenkov play for the Raptors? Latest news and rumors about his departure to the NBA by Olympiacos

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 percentages for Olympiacos. He signed a three-year, $20.0 million contract with the Kings that offseason.

However, the 28-year-old failed to find a consistent role with Sacramento, averaging just 5.4 points in 12.2 minutes per game.

The organization traded him to the Raptors during the 2024 offseason, but reports suggest Vezenkov could return to Olympiacos instead. He has two years remaining on his NBA contract, including a team option for a third season.

Here are the latest news and rumors about Vezenkov’s decision to leave the NBA for the Euroleague.

Will Sasha Vezenkov play for the Raptors? Latest news and rumors

July 8th

Masai Ujiri Provide the following answer When asked about Vezenkov’s condition:

We’re still going through that situation. I’ve had conversations with Sasha, his agent, Bobby (Webster, Raptors GM), the coach. And I think that should play out in the next few days or we’ll see if it’s in a few months. We acquired a player in a trade and we feel like we’ve communicated well. We communicated well with the agent and the team before. So we’ll see how that goes.

July 4th

Vezenkov is expected to return to Olympiacos for the 2024-25 season, according to Konstantinos Melayes from Gazzetta.gr.

The 28-year-old forward will have spent just one season in the NBA before returning to the Euroleague and the same team with which he won the MVP. The Raptors would have to release him to coordinate this move.

Vezenkov has reportedly turned down an offer from Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens.

1st of July

Vezenkov addresses rumors that he will leave the Raptors for Olympiacos at a sports camp in Bulgaria.

“I’m a Toronto Raptor right now,” Vezenkov said. By Harris Stavrou of SPORT24“I have to see what they want from me, what their intentions are, but the only thing I really need is to focus on myself and be 100 percent healthy for next season.”

June 29

Following the trade, rumors indicate that Vezenkov might not play for the Raptors and instead leave the NBA to return to the Euroleague.

Sportsnet’s Michael Grange denies those rumors and says the Raptors have “no intention of moving on from him.”

So, according to those in a position to know, the reports that Sasha Vezenkov is leaving the NBA to play in Greece are… false. The former King has one year left on his NBA contract, the Raptors control his rights and have no intention of waiving him and look forward to having him in training camp. Keep up the good work.

—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 contract. According to Alessandro Maggi of Sportandowho added that the forward would have to reach a termination agreement with the Raptors to return to the Euroleague.

June 27th

The Kings trade Vezenkov, Davion Mitchell and the 45th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft to the Raptors for Jaden McDaniels, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Sasha Vezenkov Statistics