The Timberwolves’ interest, a European crown with Olympiacos and Sasha Vezenkov’s “never say never” approach to the NBA.
Sasha Vezenkov is not looking for a way back to the NBA. That, however, does not mean he has closed the door for good, and the Timberwolves’ recent exploration of his situation, before eventually turning to Jonathan Kuminga, served as a reminder of that.
According to Marc Stein and The Stein Line, Minnesota explored Vezenkov as a potential option before turning its attention to Kuminga. The Timberwolves did not, however, make an official offer, as the Bulgarian forward showed no inclination to leave Olympiacos and return to the other side of the Atlantic. And given the circumstances, that makes perfect sense.
Vezenkov returned to Europe in 2024 after a difficult first NBA experience with the Sacramento Kings. He played 42 games, averaging 5.4 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.2 minutes per game, without ever being given the role that would have allowed him to truly showcase his game. He himself has described that opportunity as not exactly a fair one, while insisting that he has no regrets about making the decision to try the NBA. “Sometimes I think it wasn’t a fair chance, neither for me nor for Sacramento. But I don’t regret it at all. It was a great experience,” he said on The Stein Line.
Two years later, the situation is completely different. Vezenkov is no longer a player looking to prove that he can make it in the NBA. He has returned to Olympiacos, once again become the team’s undisputed star and, in the 2025-26 season, won the EuroLeague, while also being named MVP of the competition for the second time in his career. He finished the season as the EuroLeague’s leading scorer, averaging 19.4 points per game.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Minnesota Timberwolves explored the possibility of convincing two-time EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov to give the NBA another shot and join them for the upcoming season. 💣
Minnesota ultimately signed Jonathan Kuminga, while the… pic.twitter.com/MUmmMoaD3f
— Basketball Sphere (@BSphere_) September 8, 2026
In other words, he has achieved almost everything a player could ask for in Europe, doing so once again in a role that suits him perfectly. That is why the NBA is not a necessity for him today. Instead, it could only represent a different kind of challenge. He has explained that quite clearly himself. When asked about the possibility of returning, he first pointed to the life he has built in Greece: “It’s difficult because my family is here. My life is here.” At the same time, however, he did not want to put a full stop to the story, saying: “We have won a lot of things with Olympiacos, but I have learned in my life never to say ‘never’.” And that is the real meaning behind the Vezenkov situation.
There is currently no indication that he wants to leave Olympiacos. He has a contract, a leading role, financial security and an environment in which he feels comfortable. Most importantly, he has rediscovered the basketball he wants to play and has already led his team to the top of Europe.
If, however, a genuine contender were to emerge at some point with a clearly defined role, trust and the kind of conditions he did not have during his first NBA stint, then it would be perfectly logical for him to consider it. Not because he is missing anything at Olympiacos, but because his first NBA experience left a chapter unfinished in the way he would have wanted.
Vezenkov does not need to return to the NBA to prove his value. If he ever goes back, it will be because he wants to test himself at the highest level once again, this time under different circumstances. For now, though, his choice is clear. The Timberwolves considered him, he did not open the door enough for the situation to move forward, and Minnesota eventually turned to Kuminga. The window, therefore, remains open — but it is far from wide open.
Sasha Vezenkov is not looking towards the NBA. He simply does not want to rule out the possibility of looking in that direction again at some point in the future, having already conquered the top of European basketball.