As the NBA trade deadline looms, the Sacramento Kings find themselves at a crossroads - not just in terms of roster construction, but in how they envision their future. And right at the center of that conversation is three-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis.
Sabonis, who recently returned from a significant knee injury - a partial meniscus tear that kept him sidelined for 27 games - is still working his way back into form. In his first three games back, he’s averaged just 19.3 minutes off the bench, a far cry from the workload we’re used to seeing from one of the league’s premier rebounders.
But this isn’t just about ramping up slowly after an injury. Head coach Doug Christie has made it clear: he’s prioritizing defense and energy down the stretch of games. That’s led to some noticeable changes in the rotation - and some tough decisions involving Sabonis.
Take Tuesday night’s loss to the Miami Heat. Sabonis played just five minutes in the second half.
For the second straight game, rookie Dylan Cardwell was part of the closing lineup instead. It’s not a knock on Sabonis’ talent - few players can match his combination of rebounding prowess and playmaking from the post - but it’s a clear signal that Christie is leaning into what’s working right now.
And what’s working? Cardwell’s hustle, rim protection, and infectious energy.
The Auburn product has quickly become a fan favorite in Sacramento, not just for his personality but for the impact he’s making in limited minutes. Despite ranking 13th on the roster in total playing time, Cardwell is second on the team in blocks - a testament to his defensive presence.
Sabonis, meanwhile, is in the middle of a hefty contract - $42.3 million this season, with nearly $94 million more owed through 2027-28. That kind of investment usually comes with a guaranteed spot in the core rotation.
But right now, the Kings - sitting 20 games under .500 - are clearly in evaluation mode. And that means giving real minutes to young bigs like Cardwell and fellow rookie Maxime Raynaud, who are earning their opportunities.
NBC Sports California analyst Kayte Christensen recently joined The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross and shed some light on the situation. According to Christensen, the Kings struggled to find offensive rhythm with Sabonis on the floor early in the season. During his absence, the team shifted its offensive identity - and found some continuity with new lineups.
“They’re not running the offense through Sabonis anymore,” Christensen explained. “While he was out, they tried different lineups, and the ones they’ve been going with recently have started to click.”
That doesn’t necessarily mean Sabonis is headed for a permanent bench role. As Christensen noted, “Do I think that means he’s not going to start moving forward?
No, I don’t think that’s the case. Maybe it is - I’m not sure.”
What is clear, though, is that Christie is riding the hot hand. Cardwell, Precious Achiuwa, and Raynaud have stepped up in Sabonis’ absence, and the coaching staff is trying to figure out how to make it all work - especially if they want to play two bigs at once, something Sacramento hasn’t done much of this season.
There’s a lot to sort through. And with the Kings entrenched near the bottom of the standings, the front office - led by first-year GM Scott Perry - is in a position to evaluate everything with an eye toward the future.
This isn’t about declaring a rebuild or chasing lottery odds - at least not publicly. But actions speak louder than words. Prioritizing young players, experimenting with lineups, and easing a high-paid veteran back into the mix all point to a team that’s thinking long-term.
And for Sabonis, that means his role - once foundational - is now in flux. Whether that changes in the coming weeks will depend not just on his health and performance, but on how the Kings choose to balance development with competitiveness down the stretch.