Negotiations between the Kings and Vezenkov begin, Sacramento opens berth in the 2023 NBA draft

The 2023 NBA draft is over and that means the Sacramento Kings can now officially trade Sasha Vezhenkov.

NBA teams don’t need June 30th and the start of free agency to talk to players whose draft rights they retain, and since Vezhenkov himself – ideally – wants to work out his issue as soon as possible, it’s expected that both sides sit together immediately sit down at the same table to see if their “wants” match.

Given that the Kings’ agents and coaches made five trips to Greece, and also given that “Greek voices” in the organization thoroughly analyzed the profile of the MVP of the EuroLeague 2022/23 season, one can be sure say that the Kings they want Vezhenkov from the coming time. The question, of course, is what money to offer him and what role, how many minutes in the rotation with which prospect.

The current Kings depth map:

• PG: DeAaron Fox, Davion Mitchell
• SG: Kevin Herter, Malik Monk, Colby Jones *
• SF: Jaylen Slawson *
• PF: Keegan Murray,
• C: Domantas Sabonis

Point guard PJ Dozier and small forward Kessler Edwards’ contracts are not guaranteed. The latter has a chance to stay as he is cheap ($1,927,896) and can play as a second or third small forward, is a good athlete and a developing basketball player.

* Unsigned rookies with an asterisk (see below).

Anunoby – Siakam don’t change anything

In recent days, the names of Ouji Anunoby and Pascal Siakam have been quite loud at the Kings. However, even if the Sacramento team manages (because it will be a feat) to get one of the two, the facts in the Vezenkov case will not change.

If Anunoby is taken over, he will play on the three, Murray on the four and Sabonis on the five. If Siakam is taken over, he will play on the four, Murray will drop to the three and Sabonis will stay on the five.

Put simply, Vezhenkov isn’t earmarked for a starting XI spot (at least for now) as the Kings look for a starter to fill the void left by Harrison Barnes’ imminent departure. Sasha is wanted for the first forward change, at least for the first season, at least for the first few months, until he settles in (only if he makes the trip to Sacramento, of course) and shows early on if he’s up to the standard.

Why do we find Anunoby or Siakam difficult to find among the kings?

Because for the former, the royals have no package to beat the competition in a potential auction and because the latter is reluctant to commit before admitting he will sign an early contract extension.

What the Kings got in the 2023 NBA draft

There were rumors that Sacramento wanted Chris Murray, Keegan Murray’s twin, but the Portland Trail Blazers took him 23rd. The Kings had the next pick but gave it to the Dallas Mavericks (Olivier-Maxan’s Prosper, a 20th -year-old). 2min.03 forward).

At No. 34 (above the Celtics), they brought in Colby Jones, a big guard who averaged 15 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists at Xavier this year, while at No. 54 they brought in 23-year-old guard/forward Jalen Slawson Holten played at Fairman and averaged 15.6 points. with 39.4% shots, 7.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per 30.7 minutes in 36 games. Neither Jones nor Slawson are considered players with the prospect of taking on a role immediately.

What do you have to offer Vezenkov?

One of the Kings’ real priorities was dealing center Rhyshon Holmes. They wanted to get rid of the $25 million they received over the next two years (the 2024-25 season is an option) in order to have more flexibility and not (primarily, but not exclusively) rely on the two exemptions available to be (Mid-level, about $12.3 million per year for 1-4 years and semi-annually, about $4.5 million per year for 1-2 years). And they did when they sent him to the Dallas Mavericks for the celebration.

In theory, the mid-level exception “cuts off” Vezenkov’s status, but exceeds the earnings of players like Monk (6th man) and Murray (starter), while the bi-annual for the Bulgarian superstar he make his is significantly low to make his dream come true and compete with the best players in the world, but if he accepts that amount he will get exactly what he would have gotten at Olympiakos with the new adjustment decided for him.

Anyway, money aside, it’s now clear that Sacramento now has plenty of space, plenty of minutes, and a huge need for forwards.

What will Olympiacos get?

Vezenkov’s acquisition is worth $1.5 million, the deadline is mid-July. Of this amount, according to NBA (Excluded International Payment) regulations, the Kings can cover 50%, the rest ($750,000) must be paid by the athlete according to an agreement with Olympiacos on installments and their payment dates.

However, the Kings will try to add that amount to the total amount they are going to offer Sasha so he doesn’t have a… hushura like they’ve had players like Facundo Cabaso in the past who’s still paying and will pay for a few more years the loan he picked up to move from Real Madrid to the NBA.

Put simply…

The Kings want Vezhenkov and they showed it with the crushing and determined way they went after him last season. And of course with their moves in the 2023 NBA draft.

Vezhenkov wants to play in the NBA and make his dream come true.

Both sides want to shake hands, but each will try to do so on their own terms.

Sacramento returned to the playoffs after 16 years and is no longer in a period of despair while Sasha is having a good time at Olympiakos, he’s the hottest forward in Europe, he’s well paid and now the world worships him of the Piraeus team.

Negotiations will begin because, as mentioned earlier, league organizations can negotiate with players whose draft rights they own. However, we do not expect them to be completed immediately.

Logic says the Kings will try to work things out with Harrison Barnes (they want to keep him but interest in him is high), talk to Domantas Sabonis about an early extension and open the market for a starter at three (Khris Middleton ) ?) or at four (Kyle Kuzma?) before they see how much money they have for the best offer on Vezenkov.

The organization got his rights a year ago (they also have those of Dimitris Agravanis – Luka Mitrovic), want him, value him and now have a lot of space to offer him. We’ll wait a little longer for the money.