Vezenkov says no to Timberwolves: Minnesota inquired before acquiring Kuminga

Before the Minnesota Timberwolves finalized the Jonathan Kuminga deal, the Minneapolis franchise quietly explored the possibility of bringing Sasha Vezenkov back to the NBA. According to The Stein Line, the Timberwolves wanted to check the logistical feasibility of persuading the 31-year-old Bulgarian to give the league another try. But Vezenkov quickly sent a clear message: he had no intention of leaving Olympiacos. The inquiry happened just before the Timberwolves closed a deal for athletic forward Jonathan Kuminga. However, Minnesota never submitted a formal proposal because Vezenkov rejected the idea from the start. For Vezenkov, Olympiacos is not only a place where he feels valued; it is also tied to his family and his life in Europe. “It’s tough now because here is my family, my life. With Olympiacos we won a lot of stuff. But in my life, I know it’s better to never say never,” Vezenkov told The Stein Line. Vezenkov had an underwhelming NBA season with the Sacramento Kings in 2026-24. Under head coach Mike Brown, he appeared in 42 games, mostly off the bench, averaging 5.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 12.2 minutes per game. That limited role was far from his superstar status in the EuroLeague, where he was named MVP twice. Still, Vezenkov holds no bitterness toward Sacramento. He looks back with maturity. “Sometimes I think it was not a fair chance from both sides. But I don’t regret it all. It was a great experience,” Vezenkov said. The only thing the Bulgarian forward regrets is the timing of his NBA move, not the environment. He believes things would have been different if he had gone to the United States earlier in his career. “Maybe I regret I didn’t do it earlier in my career at a younger age. But the experience I take with me forever. I learned a lot. I improved my game. I improved my whole vision of the game. Sometimes, even a bad experience helps,” he added. For the Timberwolves, the interest in Vezenkov shows they are looking for more offensive options alongside Kuminga. But at 31, Vezenkov is no longer eager to become a backup piece in the NBA. At Olympiacos, he is the focal point of the offense, carries big responsibilities and enjoys strong fan support. Family, trophies and the feeling of being needed are values that money or NBA spotlight cannot easily replace. Vezenkov’s story sends an interesting signal to the transfer market: not every European player chases the NBA dream after turning 30. For him, stability at Olympiacos matters more than an uncertain opportunity across the Atlantic. But his “never say never” comment is enough to let the Timberwolves and other NBA teams know the door is not fully closed.