Kings → EuroLeague transition
Len, Lyles, Vezenkov
The Sacramento Kings sent three familiar faces to the EuroLeague in short order: Alex Len and Trey Lyles to Real Madrid, and Sasha Vezenkov back to Olympiacos Piraeus. For Kings fans, it’s a natural “where are they now?”—and the numbers tell three very different stories: two bigs finding new roles in Madrid, and one star returning home after living the NBA dream. Here’s a deep dive into how each transition has played out.
Why the Kings trio still matters in Europe
Sacramento’s recent run has been built on depth and spacing—guys who could shoot, switch and fill gaps around De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. Len, Lyles and Vezenkov were part of that picture. Len was the backup centre who could protect the rim and finish inside; Lyles the stretch four who rebounded and hit threes; Vezenkov the EuroLeague MVP who crossed the ocean for one season in purple. None of them stayed. Two landed at the same EuroLeague giant, Real Madrid; the third went back to the club where he had already become a legend. For Kings fans, tracking them is a way to see how Sacramento’s role players translate when the stage and the system change.
Alex Len: From Kings rotation to Madrid’s deep bench
With the Kings, Len had stretches where he mattered—especially in 2024–25, when he put up 5.4 points and 6.0 rebounds in 16.3 minutes over five games, with solid rim protection and efficiency (52.4% from the field). In Sacramento he was a reliable second-unit big. At Real Madrid the script flipped. In 20 EuroLeague games he’s averaging 5.65 minutes, 2.75 points and 1.45 rebounds with a PIR of 3.20. He’s still finishing when he gets the ball (0.95 FGM on 1.70 FGA, no threes) and blocking shots at a good rate (0.55 per game in limited time), but Madrid’s frontcourt is stacked—Walter Tavares, Chuma Okeke, and others eat the minutes. Len’s role is spot duty: energy, size and defence when needed. For Kings fans, it’s a reminder that “rotation player in the NBA” doesn’t automatically mean “rotation player in the EuroLeague” when you join a club as deep as Real.
Trey Lyles: Starter and scorer in white
Lyles was a fixture in Sacramento—69 games in 2024–25, 19.6 minutes, 6.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists, with 34% from three. He was the kind of forward who could space the floor, switch on defence and crash the glass. At Real Madrid he has stepped into a much bigger offensive role. In 29 games, all starts, he’s at 19.97 minutes, 13.21 points, 4.48 rebounds and 1.52 assists with a PIR of 15.24. He’s taking more threes (2.97 3PA, 1.31 3PM per game) and getting to the line (4.14 FTA, 3.34 FTM). In other words: similar minutes to his Kings stint, but roughly double the scoring and a clear first-unit role. Madrid use him as a stretch four who can post, shoot and move the ball. For Kings fans, Lyles is the “what if we had given him more shots?” case—the same skill set, now featured rather than complementary.
Sasha Vezenkov: Return home after the NBA dream
Vezenkov’s story is the one Kings fans know best. He came to Sacramento as the EuroLeague MVP and a proven star at Olympiacos. In 2023–24 he played 42 games for the Kings—12.2 minutes, 5.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, 44% from the field and 37.5% from three. The fit was never quite right: limited run, a different style, and a team that didn’t need another stretch four as much as it needed him to be something else. After one season he chose to return to Olympiacos—not as a step down, but as a return home after living the NBA dream. Back in Piraeus he’s again the focal point. In 27 games, all starts, he’s averaging 28.56 minutes, 19.30 points, 6.93 rebounds and 1.41 assists with a PIR of 23.44. He’s shooting more from two (7.33 FGA, 4.48 FGM) and from three (4.56 3PA, 1.93 3PM), and getting to the line often (5.11 FTA, 4.56 FTM). That’s elite EuroLeague production and a clear “star again” narrative. For Kings fans, it’s proof that his year in Sacramento was a detour—the NBA chapter closed, the Olympiacos chapter reopened with the same dominance.
Real Madrid and Olympiacos in the race
Both clubs are in the thick of the EuroLeague standings. Real Madrid sit 4th with 18 wins (13 at home, 5 away); Olympiacos are 3rd with 18 wins (11 home, 7 away). Lyles is a core piece for Madrid; Len is a depth piece. Vezenkov is the go-to option for Olympiacos again. The contrast is stark: two former Kings in white, one in red—and only one of the three is back in the spotlight he had before (or never got) in Sacramento.
Kings vs EuroLeague at a glance
| Player | League / Team | Min | PTS | REB | PIR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Len | NBA (SAC) | 16.3 | 5.4 | 6.0 | — |
| Alex Len | EuroLeague (RMB) | 5.65 | 2.75 | 1.45 | 3.20 |
| Trey Lyles | NBA (SAC) | 19.6 | 6.5 | 4.6 | — |
| Trey Lyles | EuroLeague (RMB) | 19.97 | 13.21 | 4.48 | 15.24 |
| Sasha Vezenkov | NBA (SAC) | 12.2 | 5.4 | 2.3 | — |
| Sasha Vezenkov | EuroLeague (OLY) | 28.56 | 19.30 | 6.93 | 23.44 |
Takeaways
Len’s move to Real Madrid has meant fewer minutes and a smaller role—depth in a stacked frontcourt. Lyles has thrived: same type of minutes as in Sacramento, but as a starter and primary option, with scoring and efficiency that reflect it. Vezenkov’s return to Olympiacos is the headline: after one season in the NBA, he’s back home and back to MVP-level production—19 points and 7 boards a night, central to a team in the top three. For Kings fans, the trio is a neat split: one role player in a smaller role, one role player in a bigger one, and one star who tried the NBA and chose to dominate again where he’s always been king.
