The Minnesota Timberwolves reportedly targeted the reigning EuroLeague champion and MVP before eventually landing Jonathan Kuminga in free agency.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Minnesota explored possible ways to convince two-time EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov to give the NBA one more shot and join them for the upcoming season.
"League sources tell The Stein Line that Minnesota indeed explored the feasibility of trying to convince Vezenkov to give the NBA one more shot before the Timberwolves' recent signing of Jonathan Kuminga," Stein reports.
"Sources say no formal offer from the Wolves was made, but that's presumably because the 31-year-old indicated that he was not open to a return."
Vezenkov values his season with Sacramento
Credit Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
Vezenkov also talked about a potential NBA comeback with Stein, noting that while he never says never, it is tough to consider since he has his life set up in Europe.
"It's tough now because here is my family ... here is my life," Vezenkov told Stein. "With Olympiacos we won a lot of stuff. But in my life, I know it's better to never say never.
"Sometimes I think it was not a fair chance (in 2023-24 with the Kings) from both sides ... neither from my side and neither from Sacramento. But I don't regret it all. It was a great experience.
"Maybe I regret I didn't do it earlier in my career at a younger age. But the experience I take with me forever. The NBA ... it's the greatest players in the world. I learned a lot. I improved my game. I improved my whole vision of the game.
Asked whether he misses the NBA, Vezenkov offered a telling response: "Sometimes, even a bad experience helps."
Vezenkov's stint with the Kings
Vezenkov was originally selected with the 57th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft but did not make his NBA debut until 2023, after establishing himself as one of the top players in the EuroLeague with Olympiacos Piraeus.
In his lone NBA season, he appeared in 44 games, averaging 5.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in roughly 12 minutes per contest.
Following his stint in the NBA, Vezenkov returned to his beloved Olympiacos Piraeus, where he went on to win his second EuroLeague MVP award and helped lead the club to its first EuroLeague title in 13 years.