iowamcnabb
Hall of Famer
Pretty sure I could take care of my family on a paltry $60 million over the next 4
soup for the family
Sasha Watch 2022-2023
- Thread starter Tetsujin
- Start date
soup for the family
KainLear
Starter
Tell that to Spree.Pretty sure I could take care of my family on a paltry $60 million over the next 4
I think most importantly, the moment doesn't look too big for him. We thought we had elite 3pt shooting heading into the playoffs and all our shooters (Keegan after game 3 aside) crumbled into a puddle, bricking open 3 after open 3.
reptilexcq2
Bench
Yes, definitely, but if his camp believes he's worth $94/4 years, there is a giant gap between what I believe the Kings should offer and what he wants.... if that's the case, I would use the money on a younger guy with some upside that address our need for better defense and length at the PF like Naz Reed for a much lower price tag. And we can do it without feeling guilty
I don't think Naz Reid is a low price tag player than Barnes. I believe he does more than what Barnes is capable of on the court. He basically does everything that Barnes can plus more....because he addresses the team need in rebounding and blocking shots due to his length. Because of his size, he is also a better post up player attacking the paint and drawing foul. The Kings should do everything they can to get him. If they decided to resign Barnes, they're going to be a good team (not elite) once again but they must play hard to win. But with Reid, you don't have to play that hard on defense and still win because he will provide protection at the rim and reduces any chance for 2nd chance shot leak on a roster that lacks length and size. Like I said before, if the Kings retain the same lineups, there's always going to be a disadvantage every time they face teams with length and size in the middle.
For those wondering, Sasha's team is currently in the Euroleague playoffs. These playoffs consist of just 8 teams that play in a best of 5 series. His team is in the 1st round and they're up 2-1 against Bogdan's old team. I haven't had a chance to watch any of these games but the highlights look really entertaining. Their latest game went down to the wire and Sasha had some big buckets late in the 4th.
In this 10-minute game highlight, you'll see plenty of possessions with Sasha (#14 white jersey):
In this 10-minute game highlight, you'll see plenty of possessions with Sasha (#14 white jersey):
KainLear
Starter
Since Sean Cunningham said someone within the organization told him that they are 90% committed to signing him this off-season, I have gone on a bit of a journey looking him up. From a small sample size, he seems perfect for what we need. And at 6'9" he can shoot over a lot of people. He's definitely no defensive anchor but seems to hold his own well enough in Euroleague. At 27 years old, I'd think what we see is what we got.
I'm intrigued. It seems like he had won almost everything he can ever win in Euroleague. Is there a reason why he didn't choose to come over all these years?
Holy. 50 seconds in, that release on the first jumper? Jesus.
He may not be some mega-star in the NBA like he is in Euroleague, but there's like 0% chance he's not like a 15-20ish MPG elite spacer type guy for a good team. That shot and release are way too good to not translate.
KainLear
Starter
That's what I'm thinking, plus like I said above, the fact he can easily shoot above at least the average height of NBA players (according to survey, the average is 6'5.4 in 2021) should make the transition easier.
The shot looks great. The defense looks...aw hell, we've been 30th in the league in defense before, right?
miltonap
Starter
That shot's WET.
And it looks like that was a super fun game.
I saw a nice shot creation move from Sasha, and honestly, it's not like Harrison is good on defense or anything (in my opinion) so we probably gain on offense with Sasha while not losing so much on defense.
Still definitely definitely need more front court defenders though, that's a huge priority
If not Jerami Grant, perhaps Precious Achiuwa?
He's not a FA as far as I know but could be a cheaper to get option than a Jerami Grant?
And I believe he plays for the Nigerian team so coach Brown would be familiar with him
iowamcnabb
Hall of Famer
Is his defense the “I’m conserving energy because I’m the offense” type? I don’t know enough about euro ball to have an opinion on this but that was unplayable level defense by my eyes.
serbiangoat
Starter
It's Bjelly current team he's facing but Bjelly has been wrecked by injury all year I would have loved to see them go head to head.
Sac.Kings
All-Star
serbiangoat
Starter
According to Serbian news Sasha is coming over to the NBA this upcoming season
https://sportal.blic.rs/kosarka/evr...arski-kosarkas-zeli-u-nba/2023050410021213119 (google translate?). Title is "Best player of Olimpiacous, Bulgerian player wants to go to the NBA"
It say's the Kings will pay half of his buyout clause and he will pay the other half.
https://sportal.blic.rs/kosarka/evr...arski-kosarkas-zeli-u-nba/2023050410021213119 (google translate?). Title is "Best player of Olimpiacous, Bulgerian player wants to go to the NBA"
It say's the Kings will pay half of his buyout clause and he will pay the other half.
Can't lose if you score more points than the other team!
Dime Dropper
All-Star
If HB is not returning, we need a replacement, and I wouldn't be surprised if Sasha is more impactful.
We absolutely need interior defense and rebounding, but that is going to be tough to fix. I like Naz Reid as a semi-realstic option. We also have the draft and Queta, who I hope gets an opportunity next year.
upinsmoke
All-Star
What Barnes brings is the ability to put the ball on the floor and finish in the paint obviously hes very inconsistent with it but hes one of the only non guards on the roster who can do it. Naz fills that role and hes younger but like I've stated previously if Barnes takes a team friendly deal and wants to be part of the team beyond his playing career I'm down with that too.
Dime Dropper
All-Star
Agreed, HB provides a steady presence and often steadied the ship by getting to the line throughout the year. He can disappear, as he did during the playoffs, but I would gladly welcome him back on an attractive deal.
I get the impression from Monte's presser that HB won't be back, however.
So Sasha actually hasn’t won everything in Euroleague yet.
European basketball is a bit different than the NBA. For Sasha’s team, they play in a domestic league called the Greek League. However, their team also participates in the Euroleague that consists of the best 18 teams in all of Europe. Sasha has been very accomplished in the Greek League, but it wasn’t until last year that he truly broke out and won MIP, MVP, and a championship in Greece.
After winning all of those awards last year, he was set to negotiate and come sit with the team during the Summer League, but he changed course last minute and didn’t come. My speculation is that the Kings could not offer him a fair contract. After we signed and traded for all of our current players, we had our hands tied with the salary cap and could not offer him anything more than the BAE which was 2 years $8.4million?
That would’ve only been $4.2mpy, and after taxes, it’s probably only would’ve been around $2million?
He’s currently making $1million after taxes in Greek… and I don’t think a $1million pay raise was worth the jump for him.
A year later, he’s gotten even better and will be looking at the MLE value.
Bogdan under similar circumstances received a 3 year $27million contract years ago. If Sasha has a good agent, then that would be the starting point for negotiations.
His defense would fit right in with the Kings…. At least he’ll be a better rebounder than Barnes.
His mid-season contract extension looks more like him trying to do Olympiacos one last favor and secure them a buyout before he leaves for the NBA.
I still think role and PT will be very important for him. He’s playing the very best basketball of his career.
upinsmoke
All-Star
You can make the arguement that hes
We really should play hardball with him though we have to be careful with our cap going forward.
TaxMan
Starter
I'm not saying everything he does is going to translate and he doesn't have potential flaws, but does feels like he's relatively high floor in that he has at least on elite skillset in his shooting. When you take the unknown factor into account, and that he'll be likely a relatively modest salary for a guy presumably in his prime years, he COULD be a homerun signing.
KingsFanSince85
All-Star
I must be conflating with the NFL draft.
It really doesn't make sense not to reset draft order based upon playoff results.
Theoretically, a play-in team could finish with the 15th pick -- one pick outside the lottery -- run the table and win the title and still keep that draft position. That makes no sense to me.
Nor does the Warriors, LAL, Knicks, Suns, Heat drafting ahead of our KINGS all while advancing further in the postseason this year.
KingsFanSince85
All-Star
In 36 games this season, Sasha has averaged 17.7 points on 65% from 2 and 39.9% from three (188 attempts).
Then we have this to consider:
We all know the NBA has taken steps to increase scoring over the past 20 years (and more). Eliminating hand-checking and implementing the defensive 3-second rule are a few big ones that come to mind.
It's no wonder these former European players believe the ruleset (not the talent) makes it easier in the NBA now than in the Euroleague. I'm sure that wasn't the case in the 80's and 90's. But it is now.
So with that in mind and seeing how the 3 players mentioned above have taken off offensively, it's not a stretch to believe that Sasha Vezenkov's offensive game could see a significant spike as well.
The numbers he's posting in the Euro league are already pretty impressive as it is.
SacTownKid
Hall of Famer
That's the thing, we already know that shot mechanics matter in the modern game almost as much anything and Sasha has that legit Ray Allen/Curry type shot.
SacTownKid
Hall of Famer
Interesting seeing a former King and a future King going at it. Good to see Nigel is still hooping.
sactowndog
All-Star
if you watched the link Sasha plays almost no defense and is slow in his rotations.
kingsboi
Hall of Famer
Michael Redd type of release
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