Domantas Sabonis Sidelined with Meniscus Tear as Kings Face Tough Questions Ahead of Trade Deadline
The Sacramento Kings just took a major hit-again. Domantas Sabonis, the centerpiece of their frontcourt and arguably the face of the franchise, is expected to miss four to five weeks due to a partially torn meniscus in his left knee. The timeline, reported on December 19, puts his potential return right around January 23-just two weeks before the NBA trade deadline on February 5.
And that timing couldn’t be more complicated.
Sabonis has been at the heart of Sacramento’s recent revival. He was instrumental in ending the franchise’s 17-year playoff drought and helped deliver their highest win total in nearly two decades. When healthy, he’s been a stabilizing force-an All-NBA caliber big who plays with both skill and toughness, anchoring the offense with his passing and inside presence.
But this season, things have unraveled fast. The Kings are sitting at 7-22, with just two wins since Thanksgiving.
Injuries have played a role-Sabonis and Keegan Murray have each missed significant time-but there’s more to it than just bad luck. The roster construction has been bold, maybe too bold, and it’s starting to show.
Sacramento went all-in on offensive firepower this offseason, stacking the roster with scorers like DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Malik Monk. Add in Dennis Schröder and Russell Westbrook, and you’ve got a team that can put up points-but struggles to stop anyone.
The Kings currently rank 27th in defensive rating and are being outscored by a staggering 10 points per 100 possessions. That’s not just a red flag-it’s a flashing siren.
Sabonis isn’t the problem here. At 29, he’s in his prime and still producing at a high level.
But with the team floundering and the trade deadline looming, he’s suddenly the most valuable piece Sacramento has to work with. DeRozan is 36.
LaVine comes with a hefty player option that could scare off potential suitors. Monk and Schröder are quality contributors, but not franchise-changers.
Sabonis, on the other hand, is a two-time All-NBA selection who can immediately elevate a playoff team-or even push a contender over the top.
And that’s where things get tricky. His injury timeline means he may not be back on the court before the deadline.
That could complicate trade talks-but it won’t stop them. Teams know what Sabonis brings to the table, and if Sacramento decides it’s time to reset, he’s the kind of player who could command a strong return, even while sidelined.
There’s also the matter of the long-term outlook. Most of the Kings’ core is under contract for next season, which means if Sacramento wants to shake things up, it’ll likely have to come via trade. Whether it’s Sabonis or someone else, change seems inevitable.
For now, Sabonis is reportedly staying patient. But with another injury setback and the Kings sinking fast, the clock is ticking. His next game in a Kings uniform-if it happens-might be his last.