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Masai Ujiri of the Raptors continues to address situation involving Sasha Vezenkov

Masai Ujiri of the Raptors continues to address situation involving Sasha Vezenkov

July 8, 2024

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri is looking to resolve the situation with Sasha Vezenkov.

Speaking to reporters Monday, Ujiri addressed reports that Vezenkov is looking to leave the NBA and sign a multi-year contract with Olympiacos B.C. in the EuroLeague.

“We’re still going through that situation,” Ujiri said. I “I had conversations with Sasha, his representations, Bobby, coach, and I think that should develop in the next few days or we’ll see whether it’s a few months.

“We acquired a player in a trade and we feel we’ve communicated well. We communicated well with the agent and the team before and so we’ll see. We’ll see how that goes.”

The Raptors acquired Vezenkov in a trade with the Sacramento Kings that also involved Davion Mitchell and two second-round picks.

Vezenkov is owed $6.7 million this year for the 2024-25 season, with a team option for nearly $7 million next year. He is not allowed to sign with another team until the Raptors release him from his contract, which will likely require an agreement on a buyout.

The Raptors have 15 players signed to fully guaranteed deals ahead of training camp. If Vezenkov leaves, Toronto could bring in one more player on a guaranteed deal but could also gain some space to remain under the luxury tax.

Masai Ujiri, the President of the Toronto Raptors, has been actively addressing the situation involving Sasha Vezenkov, a promising young basketball player from Bulgaria. Vezenkov, who currently plays for FC Barcelona in Spain, has been on Ujiri’s radar for quite some time now.

Ujiri has been impressed with Vezenkov’s skills on the court and believes that he has the potential to make a significant impact in the NBA. However, there have been some obstacles in the way of bringing Vezenkov to the Raptors.

One of the main challenges has been navigating the complex rules and regulations surrounding international players and their contracts. Vezenkov is currently under contract with FC Barcelona, which makes it difficult for him to make the jump to the NBA.

Despite these challenges, Ujiri remains determined to find a way to bring Vezenkov to Toronto. He has been in constant communication with Vezenkov’s agent and representatives from FC Barcelona in an effort to negotiate a deal that would allow Vezenkov to join the Raptors.

Ujiri understands the importance of having a diverse and talented roster and sees Vezenkov as a valuable addition to the team. He believes that Vezenkov’s unique skill set and basketball IQ would complement the Raptors’ current lineup and help them compete at a higher level.

While the situation is still ongoing, Ujiri remains optimistic that a resolution will be reached soon. He is committed to doing whatever it takes to bring Vezenkov to Toronto and is confident that it will be a mutually beneficial arrangement for both parties.

In conclusion, Masai Ujiri’s dedication to addressing the situation involving Sasha Vezenkov demonstrates his commitment to building a strong and competitive team for the Toronto Raptors. With Ujiri at the helm, fans can expect exciting developments in the near future as he continues to work towards securing Vezenkov’s place on the roster.