Kings’ Fox says Vezenkov would be great fit for Sacramento
While much of the NBA world converged on Salt Lake City for All-Star Weekend, Kings assistant coach Jay Triano was half a world away, scouting a player who could be part of Sacramento’s plans next season.
Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox was asked about Olympiacos forward Sasha Vezenkov during All-Star festivities Saturday amid reports that Triano had traveled to Crete to watch Vezenkov in the Greek Cup Final 8.
“I think he would be a great fit,” Fox said as he prepared for his first All-Star Game appearance Sunday at Vivint Arena. “I’ve seen where he doesn’t dribble a lot. He’s a guy who can play out of the mid-post. He shoots the ball extremely well. If you can shoot the ball well in this league, there’s a spot for you.”
Vezenkov, 27, is a two-time Greek League MVP. The Kings explored the possibility of bringing him to Sacramento last summer after acquiring his draft rights in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The two sides couldn’t come to terms at that time, but they are expected to revisit those discussions this summer. Eurohoops.net reported that Triano and Kings international scout Christos Marmarinos sat courtside for the first game of the Greek Cup Final 8. Vezenkov scored 15 points in 19 minutes in an 82-51 victory over Aris.
“I have seen him play on film, but with the All-Star break, it’s an opportunity to see him play live,” Triano told Eurohoops. net. “Sometimes you see different things live. He’s a very good teammate. Passes the ball well. He’s got a good feel for the game. A very smart basketball player.
“He doesn’t need to dribble. He’s got size. He can see over defense. He can make a pass. He’s a good decision-maker, too. I am really impressed with him. … I just value basketball intelligence. Because if you have enough guys on the floor that have the basketball intelligence, you find a way to make the ball move and be in the right places, so those are the things that I like the most.”
Vezenkov recently signed a three-year contract extension with Olympiacos, but the deal reportedly includes a $1.5 million buyout clause should he choose to come to the NBA. Vezenkov recently told BasketNews he hasn’t ruled out of the possibility of joining the Kings next season, saying: “When summer comes, we’ll see. With my family, the club, NBA and my agent, everybody who loves me and is in my life, we’ll see what will happen.”
Triano wouldn’t speculate on the chances of Vezenkov coming to Sacramento, telling Eurohoops.net that will depend on talks between Vezenkov and Kings general manager Monte McNair.
Fox said a player like Vezenkov could be key for the Kings as they build on this year’s remarkable turnaround under first-year coach Mike Brown. The Kings are third in the Western Conference with 25 games remaining as they try to end their NBA-record 16-year playoff drought.
Sacramento’s current stable of forwards features veteran Harrison Barnes, rookie Keegan Murray and Trey Lyles, but Barnes and Lyles will be unrestricted free agents this summer. Aside from the addition of Kessler Edwards, the Kings were unable to add wing depth at the trade deadline, so that could be a big priority this summer. Fox likes what he has seen from Vezenkov.
“I’ve actually looked at film of him,” Fox said. “It’s funny because I tell Keegan this a lot, and I’m like, ‘Keegan, if we want to win a championship at some point, either you’re going to be one of those guys or we’re going to find one of those guys.’ Because at the end of the day, I think it’s an extremely wing-based league where most of the time the better teams have one of the better wings in the league.”