Sasha Bezenkov was a notable signing by the Kings during the 2023 offseason.
The 6-foot-9 forward was named the 2022-23 EuroLeague MVP after averaging 17.6 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting .546/.398/.857 with Olympiacos. He signed a three-year, $20 million contract with the Kings during the offseason.
But the 28-year-old never quite found a consistent role in Sacramento, averaging just 5.4 points in 12.2 minutes per game.
The team traded him to the Raptors during the 2024 offseason, but reports have suggested Bezenkov could return to Olympiacos. He has two years remaining on his NBA contract, including a team option for a third year.
Here’s the latest news and rumors about Bezenkov’s decision to leave the NBA and move to the EuroLeague.
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Will Sasha Bezenkov play for the Raptors? Track the latest news and rumors
July 4th
According to Konstantinos Melayes of Gazzetta.gr, Vezenkov is set to return to Olympiacos for the 2024-25 season.
The 28-year-old forward will reportedly be returning to the EuroLeague with the same team where he won MVP after just one season in the NBA, a move that would require the Raptors to waive him in order to orchestrate.
Vezenkov has reportedly turned down an offer from Panathinaikos Akhtar Athens.
July 1
Bezenkov spoke at a sports camp in Bulgaria about rumors that he might leave the Raptors for Olympiacos.
“Right now I’m a Toronto Raptors player,” Bezenkov told SPORT24’s Harris Stavrou. “I’ll have to see what they want from me and what their intentions are, but all I really need to do is focus on myself and getting 100 percent healthy for next season.”
June 29th
Following the trade, there are rumors that Bezenkov will not play for the Raptors and may instead leave the NBA to return to the EuroLeague.
Sportsnet reporter Michael Grange denied those rumors, saying the Raptors “have no intention of waiving him.”
According to people with knowledge of the situation, reports that Sasha Bezenkov is leaving the NBA to play in Greece are… not true. The former King has one year left on his NBA contract, the Raptors control his rights, and they have no intention of waiving him and will have him attend training camp. Leave it at that.
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) June 29, 2024
Bezenkov has two years remaining on his NBA contract, with one year being a team option.
June 29th
According to Sportando’s Alessandro Maggi, Bezenkov will return to Olympiacos on a four-year contract, but he added that he would need to reach a buyout agreement with the Raptors before he can return to the EuroLeague.
June 27
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Kings are trading Bezenkov, Davion Mitchell and the 45th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft to the Raptors in exchange for Jaden McDaniels.
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 4.0 % FG % 5 4.6 % 37.5 % 3-PT % 3 9.8 % 80.0 % FT % 8 5.7 % 12.2 MPG 28.7 4 2 games played 33
