Why a Domantas Sabonis Trade Could Be a Risky Play for the Suns
As the NBA trade deadline inches closer, the rumor mill is heating up-and one name that keeps surfacing is Sacramento Kings big man Domantas Sabonis. According to league sources, the Phoenix Suns are among several teams that have shown interest in the three-time All-Star. Toronto, Washington, and Chicago are also reportedly in the mix, but the Raptors are viewed as a particularly strong suitor.
Sabonis is an undeniable talent. He’s a walking double-double, an elite passer for his position, and one of the best offensive hubs in the league when used correctly. But for the Suns, a move to bring him to the Valley raises more red flags than it does reasons for optimism.
Sabonis’ Fit in Phoenix: Offense vs. Defense
Let’s start with the on-court fit. The Suns’ current center rotation leans heavily on athleticism, rim protection, and vertical spacing. They’ve built around the idea of complementing stars like Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks with bigs who can defend the paint, run in transition, and stay out of the way offensively.
Sabonis is a different kind of center. He’s a high-usage facilitator who thrives with the ball in his hands, often operating from the elbow or the top of the key.
He’s not just a piece you plug into an existing system-he is the system. That means head coach Jordan Ott would need to rework the offensive scheme to accommodate Sabonis’ strengths, which could disrupt the rhythm Phoenix has been building.
And while Sabonis would certainly elevate the Suns’ offensive ceiling with his passing and interior scoring, his defensive limitations are tough to ignore. He struggles to stay in front of quicker players on the perimeter and lacks the vertical pop to be a true rim deterrent. In a Western Conference loaded with explosive guards and athletic bigs, that’s a concern.
The Financial Fallout
Even if the Suns were willing to gamble on the basketball fit, the financial implications are where this potential move gets especially dicey.
Sabonis is on a massive contract-$42.3 million this season, escalating to $45.5 million next year and $48.6 million the year after that. That’s a significant commitment, especially for a team that’s already feeling the weight of past blockbuster trades.
Remember, Phoenix is still navigating the financial strain of acquiring Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. Both moves were bold, headline-grabbing swings, but they also left the Suns with limited cap flexibility and a roster that’s been difficult to balance. Adding Sabonis would only tighten the screws further, likely locking the team into a core of Sabonis, Booker, and Brooks for the next several years.
That kind of financial rigidity can be dangerous in today’s NBA, where adaptability is key and the second apron penalties are no joke. The Suns would have little room to maneuver, both in the trade market and in free agency, making it harder to build out the depth needed for a deep playoff run.
A Familiar Fork in the Road
In some ways, this situation feels like déjà vu for Phoenix. A couple of years ago, they went all-in on star power with Durant and Beal, hoping talent would outweigh fit and financial strain. That decision hasn’t exactly paid off the way they hoped, and now they’re potentially staring down a similar path with Sabonis.
There’s no doubt Sabonis brings a lot to the table. But for a Suns team that’s already made high-stakes bets and is still dealing with the consequences, this might be one gamble too many.
Unless Phoenix is ready to reshape its identity on both ends of the floor-and accept the long-term cap constraints that come with it-this is a move that could do more harm than good.