The Hornets are still kicking the tires on Domantas Sabonis, but Sacramento’s price tag is keeping this from moving anywhere fast.
Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer said in his latest NBA insider update that Charlotte’s interest in the Kings center is still alive, though not at the level the Hornets are willing to pay right now. Fischer said the Kings are looking for positive value and draft compensation in any Sabonis deal, while other teams have not been eager to hand the 30-year-old the extension he wants.
“I do think interest from the Hornets is still generally there,” Fischer said. “I don't think Charlotte is motivated to meet the Kings' asking price, but if the price comes down, I would think that Charlotte is still a team to monitor in Sabonis' ultimate trade landscape.”
“But I don't think anything is coming to fruition anytime soon,” Fischer added.
Sabonis has two seasons left on his deal, with $45 million due in 2026-27 and $49 million in 2027-28. He’s also eligible for an extension, and he changed representation from Wasserman to CAA this summer.
The fit talk around Sabonis has only grown because of how much movement has already happened around him. Fischer said about a week earlier that Charlotte and the Toronto Raptors had both discussed Sabonis with Sacramento as recently as this summer. He added that Toronto’s conversations before the February trade deadline were the more focused and serious of the two.
The Kings’ asking price has been the sticking point. Before the June 23 draft, Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that Sacramento wanted one of Charlotte’s two first-round picks, Nos. 14 and 18. The Hornets wanted to hold onto both and circle back later in the summer.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that one possible framework included Miles Bridges, Josh Green, and a future first-round pick. Neither Bridges nor Green is still with Charlotte.
The Hornets sent LaMelo Ball and Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a four-team trade that became official in July. Charlotte got Naz Reid, Mo Gueye, a 2033 first-round pick from Minnesota, three first-round pick swaps, three second-round picks, and the draft rights to Matteo Spagnolo. Bridges was dealt to the Phoenix Suns.
That Ball trade also gave Charlotte a huge financial tool to work with: a $40.7 million trade exception. ESPN’s Bobby Marks called it the largest in league history. Sabonis’ 2026-27 salary is about $4.8 million above that exception.
Charlotte has already made another move after dealing Ball, re-signing Coby White to a three-year, $74 million contract.
The Hornets reached the Play-In Tournament last season and hosted the Miami Heat on April 14.
In Sacramento, Maxime Raynaud made the All-Rookie Second Team as the No. 42 overall pick after averaging 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds.
Charlotte has until one year after the Ball trade was finalized to use the exception, and the 2026-27 trade deadline falls on Feb. 11, 2027.