Raptors News: New home for Gary Trent, Vezenkov update, Jontay denied

Update on Sasha Vezenkov

Masai Ujiri spoke with the broadcast team during the telecast of the Toronto Raptors' Summer League win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, and one of the topics he addressed was on newly-acquired forward Sasha Vezenkov. It has been reported that Vezenkov wants to leave the NBA to return to Greek team Olympiakos, but that the Raptors don't want to lose him and certainly aren't going to pay him his full NBA contract and outright waive him.

Ujiri had the following to say about the situation:

Ujiri went on to say that the organization thinks he's a "phenomenal player" and a "great" shooter, and that the situation would be resolved "hopefully soon." The Raptors are already thin at forward and losing Vezenkov would significantly stress their rotation, and it's clear the team hopes to convince him to stay.

Jontay Porter Denied

Former Raptors center Jontay Porter was banned from the NBA for gambling on NBA games and for manipulating games for gambling purposes, and in the months since has been involved in a federal investigation into his actions. In recent days he pled guilty to one charge related to his gambling, an admission that could come with significant jail time.

Porter asked the judge for leniency in order to continue his playing career overseas in Greece, laying out a plan to live with family who would monitor his activities and a team who would accomodate his travel back to the United States for court appearances. His request outlined the shrinking window of time in which he can make a living as a professional basketball player.

That request was denied on Tuesday, and Porter now must continue to await sentencing for his crime without any assurances that he will continue to play basketball.