NBA insider: Sasha Vezenkov and Kings deal trending toward inevitable / News - Basketnews.com

Marc Stein's sources indicate that a deal between Sasha Vezenkov and the Sacramento Kings is moving toward becoming inevitable.

Credit: Stefanos Kyriazis/ipa-a/SIPA - Scanpix Credit Stefanos Kyriazis/ipa-a/SIPA - Scanpix

Olympiacos Piraeus star forward Sasha Vezenkov is seriously considering the possibility of making a leap to the NBA environment this upcoming off-season and signing with the Sacramento Kings, according to an NBA insider Marc Stein.

Olympiacos Piraeus / Schedule

Olympiacos Piraeus Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul84-72 Olympiacos Piraeus AS Monaco05-1915:00

Per the same report, Stein notes one source believes a deal between the two sides is "trending toward inevitable."

Stein's report comes after the news by Sean Cunningham, a reputable reporter for the Kings, who earlier claimed that Sacramento is 90% committed to signing Vezenkov.

The main EuroLeague MVP candidate is bound by a long-term contract with Olympiacos (runs through 2025), but he has an NBA out after the current season is over.

The 27-year-old Bulgarian drew attention from the Kings last summer but decided to stay in Europe for his fifth season with the Reds.

Vezenkov is now fully focused on the EuroLeague Final Four 2023 in Kaunas, happening from May 19 to May 21. Olympiacos are set to play AS Monaco, led by Mike James, in the first semifinal next Friday (at 17:00 CEST).

Vezenkov helped Olympiacos reach a second consecutive Final Four after a 3-2 series win over Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul.

The do-or-die Game 5 in Piraeus was spectated by the Kings' head coach Mike Brown.

"I like what I see, he leaves room for his teammates, he cuts well, he shoots well from three, he has toughness, he fights for rebounds," Brown said of Vezenkov on Tuesday night.

"The way he shoots from the three-point range is something we like, he handles the space very well, he's quick, he'll be an effective player in the NBA at a high level, especially with the toughness he shows," the coach said about the player's chances. "He's fearless and I love that."

Would the Kings bring Vezenkov to the roster this off-season? Brown wasn't ready to answer the question right away.

"We want the season to end first, and then we will talk to him. We are extremely excited about him, we made a trade to acquire his rights in the summer. It's important that so many people from the team have come to see him in person, there is also the CEO of the Kings here and the European scout," Brown explained. "For us, it's a priority, but we will see at the end of the season."

BasketNews Talks with Vezenkov:

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