Domantas Sabonis
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Toronto Raptors are heavily pursuing a trade for Domantas Sabonis
The Sacramento Kings may be on the cusp of one of the largest fire sales in NBA history. Fading out of the playoff picture, Sacramento has begun fielding offers for former All-Stars DeMar DeRozan, Russell Westbrook, Zach LaVine, Keon Ellis and Domantas Sabonis.
Should they begin offloading talent before the trade deadline, the Toronto Raptors could be the biggest benefactors.
When writing for The Athletic, Sam Amick reported that Toronto is currently viewed as the favorites to land Sabonis. Additionally, the team could acquire the three-time All-Star in exchange for a former lottery pick.
“Domantas Sabonis is still worth monitoring in the weeks ahead. When Toronto rolled through town on Wednesday, it wasn’t all that hard to imagine him putting on a Raptors jersey sometime soon. While Washington, Phoenix and Chicago are known to have had some interest in Sabonis, league sources confirmed reports that Toronto is a legitimate possibility as we approach the deadline.”
While Amick didn’t explicitly state that the Raptors are shopping RJ Barrett, his connection to Kings general manager Scott Perry makes a deal involving the southpaw scorer more plausible.
“It’s worth noting that the Raptors’ RJ Barrett, who is owed $27.7 million this season and $29.6 million next season, was drafted No. 3 overall out of Duke by current Kings general manager Scott Perry in 2019, when Perry held the same position with the Knicks,” Amick wrote. “The two old friends shared a warm hug and extended conversation before the game [on Wednesday] at Golden 1 Center.”
Sabonis, 29, has played the last five seasons in Sacramento, but could be in his finals days with the Kings franchise.
Raptors Exploring Blockbuster Trade For Sabonis
Domantas Sabonis
GettyDomantas Sabonis could be moved before the trade deadline
After spending the last two years as bottom feeders in the Eastern Conference, the Raptors are off to a strong start this season.
Toronto is currently the third seed in the East and has won six of their last 10 games.
Despite their current position near the top of the standings, the Raptors are looking to add more ammunition before the trade deadline.
Toronto previously kicked the tires on an Anthony Davis trade, but seem to have shifted focus to the Kings star Sabonis.
In a potential package for the three-time All-Star, the Raptors are reportedly willing to deal multiple starters, according to TSN reporter Josh Lewenberg.
“TSN can confirm that Toronto appears willing to part with some combination of Immanuel Quickley, Jakob Poeltl and RJ Barrett, or at least that’s the impression that rival teams have gleaned from exploratory discussions,” Leweberg wrote. “That tracks, both because the Raptors would need to include one or two of those players to match salary in any big trade, but also because those are the contracts limiting their financial flexibility moving forward.”
Barrett, 25, is the headliner in this proposed deal. The former lottery pick is averaging 19.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.6 while converting nearly 50 percent of his shot attempts.
While the Toronto native would likely prefer to stay with the Raptors, he could be reunited with Kings general manager Scott Perry.
Perry selected Barrett third overall in the 2019 NBA Draft when he served the same role with the New York Knicks.