The Sacramento Kings may not look to trade All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis this offseason, according to NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
The Kings were open to moving Sabonis at this year’s trade deadline, with the Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards showing interest in the lefty.
“It is not seen as a certainty, according to one source briefed on the process, that the Kings will try again in the offseason to trade Domantas Sabonis after fielding in-season trade offers for the former All-Star big man,” Stein wrote. “There are scenarios, I’m told, that would steer Sacramento toward keeping Sabonis — who has two seasons left on his contract after this one — that depend on how the Kings fare in May’s draft lottery and whom they are able to select in a draft headlined by Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer.”
Sabonis underwent season-ending knee surgery to repair a torn left meniscus last week. He appeared in only 19 games this season, averaging 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.
A three-time All-Star, Sabonis will make $45.5 million next season and $48.6 million in the 2027-28 season, the final year of his contract.
The Kings have the worst record in the NBA. Sabonis has been on the team since February 2022. Sacramento acquired the Gonzaga product from the Indiana Pacers in the blockbuster Tyrese Haliburton trade.
Sabonis helped the Kings make the playoffs in 2023 for the first time since 2006. Sacramento lost to the Golden State Warriors in the first round in seven games, but it appeared the franchise had a bright future with Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox and Keegan Murray leading the way.
However, the Kings missed the playoffs in 2024 and Fox was traded to the San Antonio Spurs last season.
Sabonis has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Pacers and Kings. He holds career averages of 16.1 points, 10.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game.