The Raptors have cut a pair of players from their offseason roster, announcing today that forward Sasha Vezenkov and guard Javon Freeman-Liberty have been placed on waivers.
Vezenkov is the more notable name of the two. The 2023 EuroLeague MVP signed a three-year contract with the Kings last summer, but had an underwhelming NBA rookie season, logging just 12.2 minutes per game in 42 appearances off the bench. He averaged 5.4 points and 2.3 rebounds per game with a shooting line of .440/.375/.800.
Vezenkov, who will turn 29 next month, was traded from Sacramento to Toronto in June along with Davion Mitchell in a deal that created additional cap flexibility for the Kings.
Around the time of that trade, reports surfaced indicating that the 6’8″ forward had reached a lucrative long-term agreement to return to Olympiacos, his former team in Greece. However, he remained under contract with the Raptors on a deal that included a guaranteed $6,658,536 salary for 2024/25 (plus a team option for ’25/26).
The Raptors’ release of Vezenkov creates a path for him to rejoin Olympiacos once he clears waivers and also generates significant cap savings for the team. According to Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca (Twitter link), Vezenkov gave up his entire $6,658,536 salary for ’24/25 in a buyout agreement in order to facilitate his exit, leaving no dead money on Toronto’s books.
As for Freeman-Liberty, the former DePaul standout spent most of last season on a two-way contract with the Raptors before being promoted to the standard roster on March 1. He appeared in 22 games at the NBA level as a rookie, averaging 7.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG, and 1.8 APG in 18.3 MPG.
Freeman-Liberty’s minimum-salary contract for 2024/25 contained only a small partial guarantee, which would have increased from $100K to $150K if he had remained on the roster through July 23. Toronto will carry $100K in dead money after waiving the 24-year-old.
The Raptors now have 14 players on standard guaranteed contracts and about $11MM in breathing room below the luxury tax line, according to Murphy (Twitter link). Toronto’s newfound financial flexibility gives the front office the ability to spend more than the veteran’s minimum to fill the 15th roster spot or potentially to take on unwanted salary in a trade.
I would love to hear him on a podcast detailing his experience playing in the NBA for a year vs. playing in Europe for most of his career. It seemed like halfway thru the season that he was over the NBA and couldn’t get out fast enough.
He clearly hated it so much he gave up over $6 million. He probably doesn’t even want to talk about it, I’m sure it hurt his ego to go from MVP to benchwarmer in less than a year.
Sasha could cut out a role in the league for sure. Didn’t look excepted by his peers at any stage, didn’t look close with anybody. Was probably shocked at the business and ego side of things, not to mention a complete different environment. Clearly couldn’t get outta there fast enough alright.
I didn’t see him play, but did he display any acceptional talent in his time in the NBA last season?
No
Not at all
Can’t get more patriotic than Freeman-Liberty. What are the chances two parents with these two last names got married?
It’s also possible they didn’t get married which is what created that last name
If they were true patriots, they would have named him America, and his middle name would be f***yeah.
The NBA is too fast for Sasha. Saw it time and again. He just looked like he couldn’t process what was happening fast enough. Im dying to know what offer he has on the table to walk away from 6 million. Have to imagine Toronto would have given him 1-2 just to open up the roster spot.
I think they knew he was desperate and played hardball. That is why it took some time.
Just my guess to be fair.
Yea let Vezenkov run. Bruce for Cam Johnson trade please. Nets are rebuilding, Bruce is an expiring contract, Cam I think has 3 yearscom his deal.
Us the Raptors are also rebuilding though
He wasn’t good. This reminds me a bit of Abrines who use to play for OKC he lasted years longer but just wasn’t more than a bench warmer.
I am sure adjusting to a new culture didn’t help along with an injury.
Sasha should’ve been in the NBA six years ago. Now it’s just too late for him to catch up to the speed of the game.