The Kings’ next move keeps pointing back to Domantas Sabonis, and the latest idea has him landing in a four-team blockbuster that would send RJ Barrett out of Toronto.
Sacramento is still sorting through a messy situation. The team is not expected to be a contender this season, but it is clearly looking to add pieces while also opening the door to a bigger reset. Sabonis’ summer decision to hire a new agent only added fuel to the speculation.
“I do think it’s somewhat interesting that he changed agents this offseason," ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said. "He hired Aaron Mintz from CAA.
This last year, Mintz and his group executed the trade for Trae Young away from Atlanta. They executed the trade for Walker Kessler away from [the Jazz ].
Domantas Sabonis just hired him. At the risk of parodying myself, why would he do that?”
That line of thinking gained more traction when reports surfaced that Sacramento had explored a deal with Detroit for Jalen Duren.
“There was a trade on the table from the Kings for Jalen Duren. They were willing to offer Domantas Sabonis to the Pistons but that's not what the Pistons want. They want to bring Jalen Duren back and secure him on a long term deal," ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel stated.
From there, Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale mapped out a huge four-team trade that would move Sabonis to the Raptors and send Barrett to Charlotte.
Under Favale’s proposal, the deal would look like this:
“Charlotte Hornets Receive: RJ Barrett. Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Pat Connaughton, Toronto's 2029 second-round pick, $3.8 million cash (via Charlotte).
Sacramento Kings Receive: Royce O'Neale, Jakob Poeltl, Tidjane Salaün, 2027 first-round pick (least favorable of Denver, L.A. Clippers, Oklahoma City and Toronto, via Toronto), Orlando's 2028 second-round pick (via Charlotte), Toronto's 2029 second-round pick, Phoenix's 2031 second-round pick (via Charlotte).
Toronto Raptors Receive: Domantas Sabonis,” Favale wrote.
It is a massive swing, and Toronto would come away with a major frontcourt addition in Sabonis. The Raptors would have to part with Barrett, but the framework suggests a return that could make the price worth paying.
In Other News...
Kings Fans May Need To Rethink The Sabonis Trade Talk
Trade chatter around Domantas Sabonis has lingered, but the Kings continue to operate as if their frontcourt anchor is still part of the long-term plan. Sacramento has had discussions with teams such as the Raptors and Hornets, yet the combination of a steep asking price and Saboniss large contract has made any real movement difficult to line up.
Sabonis also seems to be brushing off the speculation in public, which only adds to the sense that this is more noise than momentum right now. For Kings fans trying to read the tea leaves, the clearest sign may be the simplest one: unless something changes dramatically, Sabonis is expected to remain in Sacramento at least through the life of his deal, which runs until 2028. [Read more 🡒]
Ben Simmons Is Trying To Change How Kings Fans See Him
Ben Simmons spent his year away from the NBA trying to reset both his body and the conversation around him, and he is now asking fans to see the full picture. Speaking with NBA insider Chris Haynes, Simmons pushed back on what he called false narratives from media outlets like ESPN about his absence and his commitment to basketball, saying his time off stemmed from physical health issues and recovery rather than a fading interest in the game.
Now under a one-year deal with the Sacramento Kings, Simmons is trying to revive a career that has been defined as much by debate as by production. For Kings fans, the interest is obvious: can a player with his track record and versatility become a useful piece in the right setting, and can he do it while finally putting the old storylines behind him? [Read more 🡒]
Kings Suddenly Face A Harsh Choice With Their Veteran Core
The Kings offseason plans just got a lot more complicated after Detroit locked up center Jalen Duren on a five-year extension, ending any realistic hope Sacramento had of prying him loose. Duren had been a player the Kings were aiming to acquire, and his new deal, which came together after a weight clause was removed from the negotiations, effectively resets part of the market for Sacramentos front office as it weighs what comes next.
Now the Kings are being pushed back toward their own veteran core and the harder question that comes with it. Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis and DeAndre Hunter remain central to the conversation, but with Duren no longer in play, Sacramento has to decide whether to stay committed to that group or pivot in another direction. [Read more 🡒]