The Boston Celtics at least explored the possibility of landing Domantas Sabonis before the NBA Draft, even if the talks never got close to a deal.
ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported Wednesday that Sacramento had “at least one phone call” with Boston about the three-time All-Star. The extent of those discussions isn’t clear, but the report makes it plain that the Celtics checked in on the Kings big man before the draft came and went without a move.
Boston wasn’t the only team poking around. Slater also reported that the Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets were in the mix for Sabonis, with Charlotte specifically involved in predraft conversations while holding picks Nos. 14 and 18.
“There were predraft conversations about Sabonis with the Charlotte Hornets (who held pick Nos. 14 and 18) and at least one phone call with the Boston Celtics, team and league sources said, but nothing materialized,” Slater wrote.
Sabonis, 30, still has two seasons left on his current deal. He is set to make $45.5 million in 2026-27 and $48.6 million in 2027-28.
Slater also reported that Sabonis has shown “a willingness to recommit and buy-in to this season's team,” a group that now includes Darius Acuff, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan.
On the floor, Sabonis was limited to 19 games in the 2025-26 season because of injury. He averaged 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists in that stretch. His last All-Star nod came in 2022-23, when he put up 19.1 points and led the league with 12.3 rebounds per game.
For now, the Celtics’ call appears to have been just that - a call. Whether Boston circles back on Sabonis later is still an open question.
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