This Keeps Getting CRAZIER…
this situation keeps getting crazier as we thought we had closure to Sasha venkov going to Greece trying to bolt from the Toronto Raptors he directly addressed it but things have changed multiple reports have come out despite MSI jury and the Raptors wanting to keep him on this team he might still be going this is serious implications for the rest of the trer Raptor free agency including their ability to bring back a guy like Gary Trent Jr or other signings out there on the open market so we’re going to break down the latest on this crazy situation because it feels like everyone think they haven’t figured out they think he’s coming back and then more and more reports drop from these European sources that indicate he is still trying to leave the Toronto Raptors after getting acquired so we’re going to break all that down in this video this entire timeline but before we do that folks again if you want to stay up to date with all the crazy Madness of the Toronto Raptors off season make sure you guys hit that subscribe button if you’re a part of the 49% that hasn’t hit the sub button just yet but let’s dive into what’s been going on what’s been popping up regarding Sasha venko cuz you’re not familiar with even this guy is essentially the Sacramento Kings traded him to the Trona Raptors uh in that deal that sent Jaylen McDaniels to the Kings and we received J Davon Mitchell Sasha as well as two second round picks so that’s a report that came from wge and Sasha is an interesting piece he’s an interesting player but was the MVP of the Euro league and then went over to Sacramento didn’t get a ton of opportunity a ton of run and we heard chatter and rumbling said he was disappointed in his stint with the NBA so those Rumblings were there when he got traded to the Toronto Raptors and then we heard a bunch of crazy reports end up dropping which indicated he might be trying to trying to leave so essentially this came out from sportando which said Sasha’s reportedly decided to return to Europe signing a multi-year deal with Olympiacos so that came out and had Raptors fans up in a Roar and then Sasha had to come out and say something he said right now I am a Toronto Raptor I have to see what they want from me what their intentions are but the only thing I really need to focus on is getting myself 100% healthy for next season so basically he tried to shut those down and the Olympiacos GM came out and said that Sasha venkov is a Toronto R is a player for the Toronto Raptors so we heard all that and we said hey it’s it’s all good this man’s not going back to Greece there were just some crazy rumors gr came out and said the Raptors have full intentions of bringing this man into training camp seeing how he is a preseason on for this Raptor’s roster they view him as an asset so all good right we thought we had closure to this entire situation well things have been getting crazier crazier by the day in terms of reports that have come out essentially uh this is coming from the gazetta a Greek Sports website that said the long awaited deal for Olympiacos and this is translated from Greece so uh from Greek so apologies if it’s a weird translation there but the long way to deal for Olympiacos takes flesh and blood as Sasha venkov is expected to become an Olympiacos player again the Bulgarian forward informed pinkos pronouncing that horribly uh that he refused the offer they made him and some details remain resolved with his corpor cooperation with the Toronto Raptors choosing to wear the red and white again the Olympiacos colors not the Toronto Raptors red and white again instead of a mythical contract returning to Europe after one season so again translations’s a bit cooked there but went on to say this is the really interesting part of this report that the trade that brought him to Toronto from Sacramento paved the way uh in the last few days I talked a lot with uh the VZ zenov you know translation Greek issues there but uh in the last few days he had a lot of chats and discussions with raptor coaches and was not convinced about his role informing them that he does not want to stay in the NBA the Raptors wanted to keep him in training camp to get a closer look at him but that is unlikely so that’s what he’s saying there to the team and that venkov will be released in the next few hours from his contract that binds him to the NBA who will now be placed on a list of waivers over the next 48 hours and of course uh for Olympiacos who initiated all the procedures all this time to convince him to return to port and made him theirs so essentially what this Sports Outlet is saying is that this man you know traded from the Sacramento Kings he wants a bigger role he’s been talking to Raptor coaches and he came out and it’s not convinced about the role that the Toronto Raptors are offering him for this season and he’s made the decision he’s going back to Europe despite the Toronto Raptors wanting to keep him in house wanting to keep him on this team he is not happy with the role that he’s being presented there for the Toronto raps and he’s essentially made some deals made some agreements again the translation is tough but to go back to Olympiacos to go back to Greece go back to the team you know where he won Euro League MVP got all that sort of notoriety fa all that type of stuff he’s trying to get out of the NBA and again the the comments he made previously regarding his uh situation seemed very noncommittal right now I am a Toronto Raptor I to see what they want from me and what their intentions are but the only thing I really need to focus on myself and 100% next season so not super bought into this Toronto Raptor teeve if we read under the lines I said that in the last video we made regarding the Sasha vov uh updates on that front but basically uh right now he he this see this sounds like a quote that came from a guy that has his foot already halfway out the door and we also have another report that came from Euro hoops. net that see it says a reunion that seemed very likely should now be considered as a given as long as the Toronto Raptors make the final decision on the player’s future Toronto’s official position remains that vov is an asset that they want to see him in the preseason but on the other hand it’s clear that vevo’s presence in the NBA so far has not been what he expected although nothing’s over yet it is clear in Europe for V vov there’s only olympo so Euro hoops. net is saying it’s a given that uh he’ll be going back to Olympiacos but if uh you know the Toronto Raptors make that final decision in terms of what going on but uh that’s uh that’s what’s happening there but I just find the situation absolutely absurd in terms of what’s going on with this guy because again he’s kind of we’ve had disgruntled Europeans try to get out from the torona Raptors before this doesn’t seem like a Toronto Raptors thing as uh he was willing to leave Sacramento isn’t happy with this role in NBA wants to be the Superstar wants to be the big name you Goron drage had his other reasons and stuff for forcing his way out but we don’t have any luck these types of guys and we’re hoping with this European coach you know uh with Darko rakic being able to come in help out uh you know obviously Darko Serbian you know Bulgarian different stuff going on there but there is that kind of European relationship at this point for uh you know s of his neck off but the dude is like a role player in the NBA he’s under contract he’s supposed to be paid like $7 million for this Raptor team here now at this point and we’re just going to let him walk let him go for nothing it just seems crazy to me in terms of why the Tron Raptors would do that would buy out his contract or would do anything along those lines you know he has a contract he signed it to get that money he has to honor it he has to respect it and I don’t know what try to leverage he’s trying to play what try to moves he’s trying to do to get over into Europe to try to make these things happen but the reports continue to circulate continue to come out and again the we have to trust the European sources for what they are my interpretation of it all is behind the scenes this man is trying to do everything he can to get back to Europe to get back to his you know Glory Days the fans cheering his name being a superstar all that typee of stuff before you know he gets older and he’s just a role player in the NBA but the Raptors aren’t going to let that happen we don’t want to let an asset walk for nothing now if he does walk we do have the opportunity to bring him back you know or bring back another player in free agency we have our uh to or what’s it called we have Gary Trent Jr who is a player that I think a lot of raptors fans think they uh could get on a reasonable contract so that would be a positive but we’ll see what happens there we have our midlevel we have a lot of uh options more flexibility if he an open roster spot but again we need some power forward players and depending on how mogbo sort of develops and plays out we’ll see how everything shakes out at that point but I don’t know this situation just keeps getting crazier let me know what you guys think in the comment section down below you guys best think this far subscribe to the channel I’m sided out cheers
The Toronto Raptors’ new acquisition, Sasha Vezenkov, continues to receive crazy reports about him bolting the team and going back to Europe. Ben Rogers breaks down the latest reports.
Raptors Digest is a YouTube Channel that covers all the latest news, trades, reports, and rumours regarding the Toronto Raptors. We provide comprehensive coverage on topics such as game highlights, player performances, and in-depth analysis of team strategies. Our channel features discussions on key players like Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Gradey Dick, Gary Trent Jr. and Jakob Poeltl, as well as insights from Head Coach Darko Rajaković and General Manager Masai Ujiri. Stay tuned for all the exciting updates and engaging content on everything Raptors!
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49 Comments
He's under contract don't release his rights he can't be under 2 different contracts that's a violation on his part … he should be banned from both leagues
Looks like we might be able to sign GTJ- 4 years 40 million
Lol who cares
So the Raps have to eat another turd sandwich? I'm fine with him going back to Europe, because we'll only get a lack luster performance out of him if he doesn't want to be here anyway. It seems ridiculous that the Raps would buy out his contract though. It doesn't make any sense.
Let him go and sign precious back to play the 4
No way is he entitled to any $ from the Raptors. If he wants ti negotiate his way out of the league it has to involve tearing up that contract so both the team and player are free of all commitments.
The Raptors really need a guy his size at that position so it's not an opportunity problem. He gets no guarantees other than a fair shot at rotation minutes if he earns then. But it sounds like his ego to be 'the man' is more important than playing in the best league in the world. Screw him.
I hope he sashays his way back to Europe.
Nando De Colo 2.0? 😅 not a big loss so long we got something good from Mitchell.
Zero chance Raptors waive him and buy him out even at $0. If they do it he costs $6.6M in dead money against the cap. He can’t force his way out as FIBA won’t let him play in Greece without a release from the NBA.
With teams looking to duck the 1st or 2nd apron and the Raptors not worried about that they could hold on to him as a trade asset. Raptors could flip him to a team for a $9M or $10M player plus a pick which would help that team duck an apron. They could then buy him out if they didn’t want him.
Raptors have no motivation to buy him out. He still might end up in Greece if the Raptors trade him to an apron team this summer but if not they could just drag this out. If he doesn’t report he gets suspended without pay. The Raptors could even pick up his option next season if he doesn’t play this year as his contract is a trade asset that could bring back a player and picks. Just like they pick up Bruce Brown option when they have no use for him because with the new CBA he’s a trade asset.
Vezenkov would be a perfect fit in Darko’s offence and he would get an opportunity with the Raptors the Kings didn’t give him. I predict he plays with the Raptors next season… he’s got no leverage.
Come on guys, given the choice between living in Trudeau's Canada or Greece.. we're all booking a one way first class flight outta pearson airport 👋 ✈️ 😂
Gonna be a tough season for Ben with name pronunciations lol
NBA should blackball Sasha's agent. Dude could potentially be the starting PF
Contract be dawned. We don't need player(s) that don't want to be here. Get him out if that is his position so he doesn't hurt the team.
The raptors shouldn't have to buy him out, it should be Sasha that forfeits his contract, and pay some sort of compensation to the raptors.
go look at his IG comments. not surprised he went back to europe.
Dragic 2.0
dude has thousands and thousands of IG comments telling him to come back to olympiacos
Sasha sounds like he is arrogant and uncoachable.
Aaaaaaaand now we see why it looked like Sac overpaid for McDaniels. Headache for a headache. But ill still call a W for the draft picks lol
I could honestly care less about him… 🤷🏾♂️ I was more excited about Davion in that trade to be honest.. I didn’t even know who he was! Get him outta here! ✌🏾
Full disclosure:
Sasha is a multi champion in Europe and a MVP.
The NBA has this horrible habit of prioritizing certain players because of their supposed potential and their salary whilst snubbing great players by benching them because they already have their starting lineup set in stone in terms of payment.
The NBA retirees have been coming forward discussing what it’s like being on the bench and from what I gather it’s clear most of these players were still fully capable of consistently contributing, but because they weren’t designated as the star or even a scoring option on the team they were forced to play low minutes and forced not to score and it some cases are given to many responsibilities outside of the offence for their pay grade.
Which discouraged some of my favourite players into retirement which is absurd to say because we’ve been led to believe these players weren’t capable of consistent contribution to winning basketball.
But the reality is most bench guys are good players in the NBA are player who never get a chance to start.
Only a select few crack that role others get sidelined the minute they enter the league solely because of the team they sign to, and that teams specific needs could largely determine the outcome of a rookies career especially if they don’t plan to develop that rookie to be the forefront of said franchise. Sasha came in the league at a later age so these NBA teams have already started to diminish his value. Unfortunately for him, the teams he has been on already have their starters set in stone. No wonder he wants to go back to Europe. A team like the raptors especially should be at least considering giving this guy a real shot instead of the run around 🤷🏿♂️ but that’s just my take who am I anyway.
Nicole Eleftheriadou is his gf back in greece
Raptors should be compensated for this from Sacramento. This is a failed trade
Fuck id wanna leave canada too and i live here 😂😂
If this is true ,Olymiacos will have to negotiate with the Raptors to buy out his contract.
He wants to play pickup ball at the other side of the gym where the shitty players are hooping, this side of the gym isn’t letting him play, I say let him go back and ban him from the nba, he ain’t nice like that to be moving this way
bro thought he was gonna be a starter… catch that flight buddy nba is not for you
Did people forget Ben Simmons did this and still got paid? Yes he can do it
Wasn’t this guy saying the kings got fleeced lmao 😂😂😂😂😂
He got injured and played slow like a sloth lol
This is the problem with social media. We have a lot of yapping that’s coming from sports media page’s in Greece but very little from Sasha or the raptors. The last time Sasha’s agent spoke he said he isn’t leaving the NBA and that was last week. The problem is people just keep entertaining these Greek journalists or these Greek websites. Until I hear this guy ask to leave directly, or the raptors talk about releasing him then I’m not taking any of this seriously. Does he likely want to go back to Europe ? He likely does but I’m not buying this guy is willing to leave almost 7 million on the table to leave now when he can collect his 7 million for 1 last season and sign whatever deal he wants to sign over there if the raptors don’t pick up his opinion on the 3rd year. I think a lot of this is just scheming by Olympiacos to force the raptors the waive him. This likely works in Europe with them using journalist to pump out rumors to get players to sign with them but you guys should have known this was BS once they said he was already signed to a contract when we all know you can’t just sign a contract in Europe while being on a contract in the NBA. This was the biggest red flag to this whole Sasha thing being Greek media driven. This is all Olympiacos and their shady tactics to get a player that was once a MVP over there so it’s like them chasing the Jokic of Euro basketball. The guy was the best player when he played over there so he’s a superstar in that league. These European teams don’t operate like we do over here and sometimes damn near use illegal ways to get players. Getting this guy isn’t just about signing some nobody. He was the MVP over there so he’s selling tickets, he’s selling jerseys, he’s making them money. This is desperation from a club to get the cash cow back.
Masai has ruined the Raptors
Very unprofessional this man should have to pay some kind of fine. Hope the man tears his acl over there in Lithuania never wish that on anyone but leaves a bad taste in my mouth man shouldnt be allowed to play with anyone but the raptors or their farm team
Remember when Goran Dragić was traded here and said he didnt want to play with us. Where is he now? He's shi et too.
I say we say Good Riddens
Join Goran D. in the Hall Of Shame enough is enough…
He is not good enough to play in the nba, looking to revisit his glory days.
Euro league MVP can’t cut it in NBA😂😂
I don’t want a half hearted guy. $1 mil buyout he has to eat rest to help our cape.
This might allow full MLE and the sign and trade of that for similar money with other team.
fk it. let him go…he's a role player who put up a demeaning role in sacramento and he expects the raptors org and the team to give him a good offer to stay and play???gtfoh! Demar is 1000x better than u and we have to let them go for the sake of winning and u expect us to bow down??? who u?
these European sources may just be trying to get him over there. a la Jay Leno saying Johnny Carson is thinking of retiring so he could get the tonight show.
Agent Likely going to try to play the injury + locker room problem , to try and have Raptors just by him out. Then he can do as he like.
If he wants to go back to Europe then let him go back. I’m getting Goran Dragic vibes from him, no need to force him to stay if he doesn’t want too. Rather use the space for a player that wants to be back on a team.
This isn't insane but good way to get ppls attention 😅
Just release him he doesn't wanna play
If he wants to play for a shitty league let him go
Even if Sasha has the tangibles that would fit the Raps.. there is no point in trying to keep a player that doesn't want to be here. Let the guy go and move on.
More experience for our other guys
PAN-A-THANNE-EH-KOS
Masai is washed. Hes literally done nothing to improve the team going into next season. He sat on his hands while other teams made all the moves.
Tbh why would we want him, he isn’t good he isn’t young and he would take a roster spot from other people