Despite conflicting reports last week, Kings forward Sasha Bezenkov intends to remain in the NBA for the 2024-25 season.
EuroHoops' Michalis Stefanou and Basket Inside's Matteo Andreani reported last Saturday that Bezenkov and the Kings were ready to part ways after just one season together.
However, a source told FOX40's Sean Cunningham that there is “no truth” to those reports or to Bezenkov's desire to leave the NBA.
A source close to Bezenkov told Cunningham that the reports were “way off the mark” and that the former EuroLeague MVP will honor his contract with Sacramento, despite Stefanou's report that Bezenkov told the Kings he has no plans to return for the second year of his contract and is undecided about whether to continue his NBA career or return to Europe.
A source told Cunningham the weekend reports were false, but he added that Bezenkov remains unhappy with the lack of playing time he received during his NBA rookie season with the Kings.
“I've heard the Kings would like to keep him as well, but there is also a market for him,” Cunningham wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Whether that is Sacramento or another team that can offer a bigger rotation role remains to be seen.”
After a successful EuroLeague stint, Bezenkov signed a two-year, $20 million contract with Sacramento to try out for the NBA, but his first experience in the world's best basketball league wasn't easy.
Bezenkov was in and out of Kings head coach Mike Brown's starting rotation and recorded nearly a dozen DNPs (did not play).
He also suffered back-to-back ankle injuries that caused him to miss nearly 30 games.
Bezenkov appeared in 42 games last season, averaging 5.4 points on 44 percent field goal shooting and 37.5 percent 3-point shooting, while adding 2.3 rebounds in 12.2 minutes per game.
