The Sacramento Kings started the painful rebuilding process once again over the winter when they traded away De’Aaron.Fox to the San Antonio Spurs. While they got Zach LaVine on the squad in the Fox trade, the franchise isn’t in a good place on the court and seems perennially stuck in the West’s middle-end.
With Fox gone, all attention is turning to star center Domantas Sabonis, He’s averaging 19.0 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists this season, dominating the game from inside the paint. However, many people have questioned if his style is best suited for others and if it’s the best way for him to use his skill-set to get wins for the team.
Let’s take a look at some offers the Kings could look for on the market with Sabonis.
Atlanta Hawks
Trade Details
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Domantas Sabonis
Sacramento Kings Receive: Onyeka Okongwu, Terance Mann, Georges Niang, 2027 First-Round Pick (MIL), 2031 First-Round Pick (ATL)
The Atlanta Hawks have steadily taken backward steps over the last few seasons. After the euphoria of their 2021 Conference Finals appearance, the Hawks haven’t even been relevant as a top-six team in the East. The conference hasn’t been very competitive, so they always find themselves in the Play-In, but they’re further away from a title now than they have been for years.
The team needs to take a bold step forward and throw their hat in the ring for a player like Sabonis. He’d transform the team’s frontcourt as a high-level rebounder but will continue contributing to the defensive struggles. Sabonis, with enough talent around him to maximize his skillset, could have a championship ceiling.
Okongwu is averaging 13.1 points and 8.7 rebounds, becoming the future franchise center for the Kings. Mann is averaging 7.5 points and 2.9 rebounds, and been having a great time. Georges Niang is averaging 10.0 points and 3.6 rebounds and could be useful for a few minutes where he has to shoot open shots. Regardless, he plays real minutes occasionally and thrives as well.
Adding Okongwu, Mann, and Niang shows how expensive a Sabonis trade can be. Teams will work out aggressively on how to match hisÂ
Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors Receive: Domantas Sabonis
Sacramento Kings Receive: Immanuel Quickley, Jakob Poeltl, 2026 First-Round Pick (TOR)
The Toronto Raptors made a pre-agency move for this summer by acquiring Brandon Ingram via trade before shutting him down for the season before he played a single game. Ingram’s arrival marks a shift back to the organization’s infamous competitive ethos, with the addition of a center like Domantas Sabonis further elevating their franchise.
Instead of relying on the injury-prone small guard like Immanuel Quickley, the team phases him out to run a similar style they have all season without a key ball-handler. All players are great at freelancing on the court and passing when required, which is why it has worked with mixed results.Â
Quickley is averaging 17.5 points and 5.8 assists this season. He can help fill the gap at starting point guard on the franchise, while Poeltl, who’s averaging 14.6 points and 9.7 rebounds this season, can become a high-level starter for the franchise. Noneteheless, we know the Raptors will likely hold onto them until the winter and hope they get the right value they wanted in a deal.
Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte Hornets Receive: Domantas Sabonis
Sacramento Kings Receive: Jusuf Nurkic, Josh Green, Tidjane Salaun, 2026 First-Round Pick (CHA), 2028 First-Round Pick (MIA)
This deal sees the Charlotte Hornets make a shocking swing and make a deal for Domantas Sabonis. By virtue of being the Hornets, they will have to pay a premium to convince a player to join them, which they do here by giving up three first-round picks (including 2024 No. 6 pick Salaun) in exchange for Sabonis. It gives them a clear win-now window with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller leading the squad on the perimeter.
This deal won’t make Charlotte contenders, but it brings them closer to returning to the NBA Playoffs. Sabonis’ offensive sensibilities will allow him to find his spots and attack when required while Ball and Miller run the show. Mark Williams is a great defensive option behind Sabonis’ all-offense style of play.
Nurkic is averaging 8.0 points and 8.0 rebounds this season, while Green is averaging 7.5 points and 2.6 rebounds in his first full season with the Hornets.
Landing Sabonis makes the Hornets realistic Playoff threats for the first time in nearly a decade. His high-level rebounding will be a massive boost, and his on-ball abilities will allow him to be better-rested throughout games. Hopefully, an offer this expensive doesn’t come back to bite either him or his franchise.Â
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