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We might have a detour. Then again, this could be much ado about nothing.

With the NBA Draft a little over two weeks away and free agency set to begin days after that, this moment in the offseason schedule is supposed to be about the NBA Finals. According to two European media outlets, that might not be the case, although the news from the two reporters contradict each other.

Matteo Andreani of Basketinside.com reported Saturday morning that, “Sasha Vezenkov has been informed that he’s not on Sacramento Kings plans for the next season, I’m told.” Andreani goes on to say that Vezenkov’s “priority is to stay in the NBA. Kings will try to trade him.”

A second report, that came in a little over an hour after the first one, is from Mihalis Stefanou of Eurohoops.net. Stefanou writes, “Sasha Vezenkov has informed Sacramento Kings that he doesn’t intend to return for the 2nd year of his contract. For now it’s open whether he will continue his career in NBA or he will decide to return to Europe.”

These are two very different storylines, but both lead to similar conclusions -- that a breakup between the Kings and Vezenkov is potentially on the horizon. 

So far, the Kings have been quiet on the subject, which is expected. Whatever their plans are for Vezenkov, there isn’t a reason to air them out in public at this point of the offseason. 

The 28-year-old signed a three-year, $20 million contract with the Kings after the franchise put the full-court press on last summer. The final year of his contract is a non-guaranteed team option at just under $7 million, but the upcoming season is fully guaranteed for $6.7 million, which complicates matters.

If Vezenkov is looking to return to Europe, he could attempt to renegotiate his way out of his second year. If the Kings have in fact informed Vezenkov that they intend to trade him, that could get dicey if he is undecided on whether to stay in the US or return to Europe. 

The former EuroLeague MVP struggled to find his place in Sacramento in his rookie season and that may not change significantly in year two. He is in a crowded forward position with players like Keegan Murray, Harrison Barnes and Trey Lyles all vying for minutes. 

Sacramento’s front line could look significantly different this summer if they are able to pull off a trade or two, but any move could also constrict Vezenkov’s opportunities further. 

Vezenkov averaged 12.2 minutes over 42 games last season. The Bulgarian forward averaged 5.4 points and 2.3 rebounds while shooting 44 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from 3-point range. He struggled with multiple ankle injuries, including a grade three sprain that kept him out of action for 22 consecutive games in February and March.

The reporting from overseas was all over the board when Vezenkov was making his decision to join the NBA last summer. This is an interesting storyline to follow, but it could amount to very little as the team moves through the offseason schedule. 

With Mike Brown’s extension in the rear view mirror, the Kings’ focus shifts to the NBA Draft, trades and free agency. Priority No. 1 is to settle the Malik Monk situation, which could completely change the focus of the team’s summer plans. 

Sacramento can officially negotiate with Monk, as well as the rest of their own free agents, the day after the NBA Finals conclude. The Kings can’t sign Monk, or any other free agent, until the NBA’s moratorium lifts, which begins at 3 PM PST on June 30 and lasts until 9:01 AM PST on July 6, although we will likely know the fate of the star sixth man during that window. 

General manager Monte McNair is limited in what he can offer Monk. The Kings are projected to be over the NBA’s salary cap, but they have “Early Bird” rights to the 26-year-old guard. That allows the team to offer a contract starting at $17.4 million for next season with annual raises of up to eight percent. The contract has to be for a minimum of two years and no longer than four and can have either a team or player option built in after two seasons. 

Whether this contract is enough to keep Monk in the fold is unknown at this time. There are a handful of teams with cap space and Monk is considered one of the top free agent guards on the market.