Trade chatter around Domantas Sabonis and the Charlotte Hornets is back in the mix.
The Hornets have been linked to the Sacramento Kings center more than once over the last couple of years, and that connection is getting fresh attention again. Sabonis has also appeared to have interest in moving on from Sacramento, and if the Kings do put him on the market, Charlotte would fit as a logical suitor.
That kind of fit makes sense on paper because Sabonis is still one of the league’s more underrated bigs. He’s a three-time All-Star, and adding a player with that kind of track record would give Charlotte a much stronger presence in the Eastern Conference.
Sabonis’ numbers show exactly why teams would keep calling. Last season in Sacramento, the 30-year-old played in 19 games and started 15 of them, averaging 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while shooting 54.3 percent from the field. Injuries ended that season early.
In the 2024-25 campaign with the Kings, he was back to posting bigger production. Sabonis averaged 19.1 points, 13.9 rebounds, and six assists per game, while shooting 59 percent overall and 41.7 percent from three on 2.2 attempts per game.
On September 8th, NBA insider Jake Fischer added more fuel to the conversation and specifically tied Charlotte back to Sabonis.
“Sabonis wants out of Sacramento himself. That seems to be evident by changing agents this summer.
He’s extension eligible. In today’s NBA with the second apron, if you are up for an extension, you don’t want to get to free agency.
You want to secure that next bag from your team or you want to get traded to the next team that will do that," Fischer said.
Fischer then identified the Hornets as a possible landing spot.
"Sabonis wants an extension. He had trade interest from the Toronto Raptors.
He had trade interest from Charlotte. Both teams were in discussions with Sacramento as recently as this summer.
I think Toronto’s talk with the Kings were far more advanced and serious at the deadline. Charlotte is a team that could still be in the mix depending on Sacramento’s trade price.”
If Sabonis does become available, Charlotte would be a team worth watching. Right now, the Hornets are projected to start Hannes Steinbach at center.
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