captain bill
All-Star
Certainly expect it to make him less likely to come over. MVP + championship would've been a great finale to his Euro career
Sasha Watch 2022-2023
- Thread starter Tetsujin
- Start date
Certainly expect it to make him less likely to come over. MVP + championship would've been a great finale to his Euro career
captain bill
All-Star
29/9/4 on 9/13 from 2 but 2/8 from 3. Excellent overall game just a shame about the 3's and continuing to them in the late 4th was killer
Dime Dropper
All-Star
Sasha with tears in his eyes. That had to really sting.
Hope is able to give it some time and decide to still come over. There is no guarantee they get to the final next year. He can chase this dream in the twilight of his career after helping the Kings to a ring.
Hope is able to give it some time and decide to still come over. There is no guarantee they get to the final next year. He can chase this dream in the twilight of his career after helping the Kings to a ring.
Section 101
All-Star
He didnt shoot that 3. He was in the right corner.
captain bill
All-Star
Official play by play disagrees with you. Vezenkov missed a three at :58 , Moustopha Fall badly missed the short jumper at :21
https://www.euroleaguebasketball.ne...s-piraeus-real-madrid/E2022/330/#play-by-play
iowamcnabb
Hall of Famer
We will see what happens but if he wants to play in the NBA he might need to come over this year or lose the opportunity. I assume the Kings move on and sign someone else if he decides to stay
Section 101
All-Star
yes that one was his, but there was around 3 seconds on the shot clock. The bad 3 at 1:41 was on Sloukas with 7 seconds.
The blown defense on Rodriguez at 1:59 was a killer along with Canaan's missed free throws.
ockingsfan
Starter
Agreed. At his age of 27 and the Kings current roster going into this off season, this would be the perfect year for him to make the jump. He has pretty much guaranteed playing time at the stretch 4.
However, If the Kings thinks he’s not coming over this summer, they could very well draft or sign another 4 this summer and that would cloud Sasha’s clear path to the NBA. It kinda feels like it’s now or never for Sasha.
The iron is as hot as it is likely to get for him. All depends on what his priorities are. I think a 3/18 deal that gives Bird and RFA rights but he can also leave if it's not working out while he is still in his early 30s to pursue the EL championship. Have to believe if he doesn't come Kings package his rights which have probably gone up exponentially over the last year. Or maybe it allows them to re-sign Barnes and then trade him in a year if a deal is imminent (that's the kind of shrewd, business first type deal that got us Domas and I don't know how many of those Monte can get away with without upsetting potential FAs, but could also be huge net win)
SacTownKid
Hall of Famer
Yeah if Sasha ever wants to come it's probably now or never. The NBA very quickly forgets and hitting 30'ish as a rookie is something most teams aren't looking for.
serbiangoat
Starter
Damn Real Madrid went from being down 18 in the 4th quarter of game 5 in the quarter finals (were losing 0-2) to winning it all CRAZY!
Heartbreaking lost for Sasha. With that being said, it’s now or never for Sasha.
1. He’s turning 28-years-old in August. He’s not getting younger and if he decides to wait out another year, he’ll be a 29 y/o rookie who’s never stepped on an NBA floor
2. The Kings have sent over just about every team official to Greece. They’ve invested a lot of time to show Sasha that they’re serious about him. If he doesn’t come over this season, I think they cut the relationship loose
3. Depending on which team the Kings trade his rights to, there’s a chance that he might not be able to get the same role and playing time as he would with the Kings. There’s uncertainty on his future because he’s not a free agent
Look at the way Teodosic’s career played out. He was a free agent, but teams kept trying to convince him to come over and he finally decided to at age 30, had a couple minor injuries, and was out of the league by age 32. He later admitted during interviews that he came to the NBA too late.
Ball is in Sasha’s court. 1 year might not seem like a big deal, but I think it’d be the end for Sasha-Kings. There’s no guarantee he wins a ring next year. If he doesn’t, does this mean he stays for another year? Kings can’t go on operating with that kind of uncertainty when it seems like they’re counting on him to be an impact player if he comes over.
1. He’s turning 28-years-old in August. He’s not getting younger and if he decides to wait out another year, he’ll be a 29 y/o rookie who’s never stepped on an NBA floor
2. The Kings have sent over just about every team official to Greece. They’ve invested a lot of time to show Sasha that they’re serious about him. If he doesn’t come over this season, I think they cut the relationship loose
3. Depending on which team the Kings trade his rights to, there’s a chance that he might not be able to get the same role and playing time as he would with the Kings. There’s uncertainty on his future because he’s not a free agent
Look at the way Teodosic’s career played out. He was a free agent, but teams kept trying to convince him to come over and he finally decided to at age 30, had a couple minor injuries, and was out of the league by age 32. He later admitted during interviews that he came to the NBA too late.
Ball is in Sasha’s court. 1 year might not seem like a big deal, but I think it’d be the end for Sasha-Kings. There’s no guarantee he wins a ring next year. If he doesn’t, does this mean he stays for another year? Kings can’t go on operating with that kind of uncertainty when it seems like they’re counting on him to be an impact player if he comes over.
upinsmoke
All-Star
Even more reason not to overpay.
iowamcnabb
Hall of Famer
I don’t think Sasha’s rights would have trade value given the uncertainty. If he stays another year we would likely hold on to him and then trade the rights next year if he committed to coming over.
A three year trial run in the NBA seams like the best option for him. If he doesn’t like it he still has prime years back in Europe with a little more cash in his pocket.
A three year trial run in the NBA seams like the best option for him. If he doesn’t like it he still has prime years back in Europe with a little more cash in his pocket.
Vinny Basketballerino
Starter
I know the Euroleague title is a big deal to guys like Sasha - been dreaming of it since he was a kid. But - the chance to be the guy that get an NBA team over the hump to win a championship has got to be extremely enticing from a legacy perspective. Wouldn't you want that on your resume just as much? If so, NOW is the exact year to come over to do that, because we may win a championship next year even without him. At that point - he looks like he's coming over to piggyback on a winner - as opposed to being the guy that helped get them there.
Plus, as others have said, if he comes over now and it doesn't work out, he has prime years left to get it done in Europe.
In a way, not winning the Euro title may have motivated him even MORE to come over here and win a ring.
Plus, as others have said, if he comes over now and it doesn't work out, he has prime years left to get it done in Europe.
In a way, not winning the Euro title may have motivated him even MORE to come over here and win a ring.
Maybe some guys familiar with Euroleague can speak on this more, but what's the shelf life of elite players? Is it similar to the NBA where the elite guys hang on till 35+? Or do they really start cycling through talents around 32?
Regardless, Vezenkov has shown he's one of the best EuroLeague has to offer. I'd be stunned if teams weren't chomping at the bit to get him if he came back around age 32.
Regardless, Vezenkov has shown he's one of the best EuroLeague has to offer. I'd be stunned if teams weren't chomping at the bit to get him if he came back around age 32.
iowamcnabb
Hall of Famer
Vezenkov, 27, registered a game-high 29 points to go with nine rebounds, four assists, and one block in the losing effort.
“We have to keep working,” he said signaling an effort for potential future success, “We know it’s tough.”
“We have to keep working,” he said signaling an effort for potential future success, “We know it’s tough.”
SLAB
Hall of Famer
There was lots of smoke, but after the L I’m leaning towards @PorchSurfin assessment. There’s unfinished business for Sasha now. And honestly, I’m cool not betting our future continued ascent on a 27 year old Euro who may or may not translate.
Just don’t panic and overpay Barnes to stay.
Just don’t panic and overpay Barnes to stay.
ockingsfan
Starter
That's kinda of typical teammate talk right after a tough season ending loss.
I don't think that gives any indication what he will decide in a month, after cooling off and assessing his career and situation with his family. Coming back doesn't guarentee him a Euro league championship, but leaving guarantees him more money and a possible fruitful NBA career.
iowamcnabb
Hall of Famer
it could mean something or nothing but it’s an odd thing to say for someone to say thaf had made up their mind to come over.
It would be nice if we had a firm answer in a couple of weeks so we can look elsewhere if necessary
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ockingsfan
Starter
I think Monte will know well before free agency begins (June 30th) and most likely before the draft (June 22nd), if Sasha is coming over. It would be detrimental to Sasha's career not to let Monte know what he is doing by the time Monte heads to the NBA draft.
macadocious
Starter
Is there a window where we cannot sign him? Do we have to wait until a certain date?
Sac.Kings
All-Star
Saying no to millions of dollars may be tougher than some think. I get the pride thing but this is also the real world. His basketball career is half over maybe even past the halfway point. He’s old enough and wise enough at his age to realize an extra few million goes a long way to securing the rest of your life financially.
Vinny Basketballerino
Starter
And your family - for generations. I hope he makes the smart decision.
serbiangoat
Starter
Real Madrid 3 key players role players are all 37 or above (Lull. Sergio Rod. Rudy Fernandaz). They were all elite at one point by Euro standards. Lots of guys who were stars can become role players (Bjelly went back this year sadly was injured at like 34 plus) and go well into their 30's
I'm pretty sure we have to wait for the new NBA season to start (i.e. after the July moratorium). Obviously we can come to an agreement beforehand, and since he's not a free agent but we own his draft rights there aren't any "tampering" concerns there. But I do think that the actual signing would have to wait for the free agent period.
SacTownKid
Hall of Famer
Well, one thing that was reported before this season what he was looking at both role guarantees and wanted more than the BAE IIRC. The Kings aren't the same question mark of a franchise heading into next year but if Sasha is looking at making demands I don't think Brown is going to play that game. There's a reason Brown went over, in the end, this is probably going to be his call.
Vinny Basketballerino
Starter
I think both are very reasonable requests, but Sasha may respond differently once he learns about our culture - and he may appreciate it. He's guaranteed to get a fair shot. I do think he deserves more than the BAE, which I think is around 4 mil? That's less than a mid first round pick, which Sasha is clearly on a higher level than. Dude was MVP of the second best league in the world. 7-9M per year for two years is more the ballpark of what he's worth - and what I think we'll offer. But he's gotta play his way into the rotation.
There is no way that we sent all our coaches to watch a player who is not going to be on the Kings next year.
The Kings don’t have to give up any additional assets to get a guy that is probably a 20 minute/game rotational stretch 4. And they can lock him up for 3 prime years.
Get the talent - figure out the rest later.
The Kings don’t have to give up any additional assets to get a guy that is probably a 20 minute/game rotational stretch 4. And they can lock him up for 3 prime years.
Get the talent - figure out the rest later.
