How the Kings’ sneaky signing of Sasha Vezenkov can boost their offense
The Sacramento Kings‘ biggest move of the offseason so far was the re-signing of forward Harrison Barnes. But it’s another signing – that of Sasha Veznekov – that could prove to be one of the most underrated moves of the NBA offseason.
The Kings signed the forward to a three-year, $20 million deal, ESPN reported. He’s expected to come over this season after a run in the Greek League and the EuroLeague for Olympiacos.
Veznekov is not some random European player finally ready to come over. While the 27-year-old is no spring chicken, the Bulgarian baller has been honing his craft abroad to become one of the most lethal shooters in professional basketball.
Last season, Veznekov was named the MVP of the EuroLeague, essentially basketball’s counterpart to soccer’s UEFA Champions League. Over the course of his EuroLeague career, he’s hit 40 percent from three. He’s efficient on the inside too, where the 6-foot-9 forward has hit 63 percent of his shots.
What does European forward Sasha Veznekov bring to the Sacramento Kings following his three-year, $20 million deal?
Veznekov has drawn the interest of the NBA before. The Brooklyn Nets drafted him towards the very end of the 2017 NBA Draft. Four years later, his rights were shipped to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the convoluted trade that got James Harden to Brooklyn. Last year, the Kings acquired his rights for the 49th pick, which Cleveland used on Isaiah Mobley.
There will surely be an adjustment for Veznekov as he trades one continent of basketball for another, but his game style perfectly suits today’s NBA. His ability to shoot the lights out from the perimeter, combined with his height on the outside, immediately makes him a formidable offensive weapon, one who should immediately figure into Mike Brown’s rotation.
Veznekov should be a good fit for the Kings. Their surge last year was aided by the ability to space the floor with Malik Monk, Kevin Huerter, and more, giving De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis space to operate. He could prove to be the best shooter on the roster and his quick release means defenders can’t sag too far away, especially with his range.
He’s not the most athletic player in history, but he doesn’t really need to be. He just needs to be able to get to his spots, which he showed no issue doing in Greece or Europe.
The biggest issue with Veznekov is his defense, where his lack of burst can sometimes get him caught flat-footed. He’ll likely need to be paired up against slower off-ball players on that end of the court, lest they burn him. If he can dodge being a liability, his offense will make up for the defensive warts.
Besides adjusting to the game, he’ll also need to adjust to no longer being the top or even secondary option on an offense. During EuroLeague play, he hoisted up more than five three-pointers per game. That shot volume won’t be as easy to come by in Sacramento.
Veznekov arrives at an interesting point in his career, though, where he has accomplished everything he can individually in Europe. The NBA is the next step, a path he’ll likely only walk for a few years.
Next. Analyzing Max Strus trade. dark
Veznekov isn’t the splashiest signing. But his shooting ability and experience could make it the most underrated signing of the offseason, one that pushes the Sacramento Kings to the next level.