Timberwolves Explored Vezenkov Before Signing Kuminga, But EuroLeague MVP Wasn't Interested

The Minnesota Timberwolves explored the possibility of convincing Sasha Vezenkov to give the NBA another chance this summer before ultimately signing Jonathan Kuminga as a free agent. The information comes from journalist Marc Stein.

According to his sources, the franchise studied the viability of the operation but never formulated a formal offer, and the reason would be simple: the player made clear from the start that he was not open to a return.

"It wasn't a fair opportunity for either side"

What's interesting is that Vezenkov spoke about the matter with Stein himself, and he did so without beating around the bush. He explained that it's difficult to consider it now because his family and his life are in Europe, though he clarified that in life it's better not to say never. He also recalled everything he's won with Olympiacos.

Regarding his time in Sacramento, his assessment is nuanced and striking: he said that sometimes he thinks it wasn't a fair opportunity for either side, neither for him nor for the Kings, but that he has no regrets whatsoever. He added that perhaps he regrets not having tried it earlier, when younger, though he takes the experience with him forever: in the NBA are the best players in the world, he learned a lot and improved his game and his understanding of basketball.

Asked if he misses the NBA, he left the phrase that sums up the interview: sometimes, even a bad experience helps.

His Numbers in 2025/26

It makes sense that Minnesota inquired. Vezenkov signed the best season of his European career: he was EuroLeague MVP for the second time and the competition's leading scorer with 19.4 points, plus 6.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.6 steals, shooting 62.5 percent from two-point range and 39.6 from three-point range, for a rating of 23.1, the best in the league.

He scored twenty or more points in 19 games, recorded four double-doubles, was Matchday MVP on three occasions and Player of the Month for January. And it all ended with Olympiacos winning their fourth EuroLeague title, their first in thirteen years, after defeating Real Madrid.

With that second MVP, he became the only player to win the award twice wearing the Greek club's jersey and the second in competition history to achieve it, tying Anthony Parker.

The Contrast With What Sacramento Was

The distance between that player and the one seen in the NBA explains why this story matters. Selected 57th overall in the 2017 Draft, Vezenkov didn't debut in the league until 2023, already established as one of Europe's top references. In his only season with the Kings, he appeared in 44 games with 5.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in roughly twelve minutes.

He then returned to Piraeus and has won an MVP, a continental title and the leading scorer trophy. His case is one of the usual arguments when discussing how much fit and confidence influence a European player's performance in the NBA.