The Sacramento Kings are expected to try and trade nearly every proven veteran on their roster before the trade deadline as they embrace a complete rebuild. Given the Kings prolonged trade conversations with the Golden State Warriors surrounding forward Jonathan Kuminga over the summer, rumors quickly swirled about the a potential deal sending Domantas Sabonis to the Dubs. However, according to a report by Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Warriors have no interest in such a trade.
“The Warriors, who have frequently been mentioned as a possible landing spot for Sabonis, are not interested in the 29-year-old, sources said,” Siegel wrote. “Many teams around the NBA aren’t looking for the type of player Sabonis is, as his lack of athleticism and ability to consistently stretch the floor as a shooting option limits his potential in another organization’s system.”
Siegel cites Sabonis’ limitations as a player for hampering his market, but the Warriors disinterest may be a stronger reflection of his contract. Much like with Mavericks star Anthony Davis, the CBA has extremely limited the Warriors ability to build a trade for a player with a sizable salary. Sabonis’ $42,336,000 salary would require the Dubs to part with Kuminga, Moses Moody, and Buddy Hield in a deal unless they were parting with one of the team’s three foundational pieces (Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, or Draymond Green).
Sabonis is currently out after suffering a partial meniscus tear in his left knee, but has been a consistent double-double machine when healthy for many years. Despite Sacramento’s weak supporting cast, Sabonis was averaging 17.2 points and 12.3 rebounds per game prior to going down. He would be an easy offensive fit with the Warriors, but has always been a liability defensively, which would makes it pretty difficult for the Warriors to justify taking on his salary in a deal that also gutted the team’s wing depth.