Sabonis stays with the Kings: The story behind the trade that never happened
Domantas Sabonis appeared to be on his way out of Sacramento, but the deal fell through. Here’s what happened with the proposed trade to the Toronto Raptors
The Sacramento Kings continue to navigate a rebuilding phase without a clearly defined direction. After finishing the season with a disappointing 22-60 record, the franchise appears committed to developing its young core, a timeline that naturally places a veteran like Domantas Sabonis in an unusual position.
At 30 years old, the Lithuanian big man is still in the prime of his career and doesn’t necessarily fit with a team focused on the future. That’s why his name has repeatedly surfaced in NBA trade rumors over the past several months. As it turns out, those rumors were more than just speculation.
The trade that fell through with the Toronto Raptors
According to Anthony Slater of ESPN, new general manager Scott Perry established an open and honest relationship with Sabonis from the very beginning. The two reportedly had direct conversations about potential trade scenarios that could benefit both sides.
The most serious negotiations came around February’s trade deadline, when Sacramento was reportedly on the verge of completing a deal with the Toronto Raptors.
According to Slater, Sabonis was open to a move to Canada, but the trade ultimately collapsed for financial reasons.
The Kings were close to trading Sabonis to the Raptors in a deal centered around RJ Barrett, but Toronto was unable to move Jakob Poeltl’s contract, and the trade ultimately fell apart
Anthony Slater
Despite reported interest from the Charlotte Hornets, Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons during the offseason, no team made a serious push to complete a deal. With two years remaining on his contract, Sabonis’ future remains in California.
For now, the Kings appear to have no urgency to move their starting center. Unless an offer they simply can’t refuse comes along, Domantas Sabonis is expected to remain in Sacramento, where he will be tasked with mentoring the team’s young players while helping keep the roster competitive – even if a playoff run doesn’t appear to be an immediate goal.
Sacramento’s rebuild is only just beginning, and ironically, the player who once seemed most likely to leave could become the face of the franchise’s transition – at least until the right offer arrives to change his future once again.