Here we are in another day of are the Sacramento Kings actually going to make a move or not? All we have to show for it is a few more rumor tidbits.
Here is the latest from a HoopsHype report.
The Kings would like a first-round pick back in a deal involving Domantas Sabonis.
“In trade talks involving Sabonis, the Kings told at least one interested team that they’d like a first-round pick in return, HoopsHype has learned.”
It was reported last week that the Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards have expressed interest in Domas.
The Raptors own their 2026 first round pick and are currently in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. The Chicago Bulls own their own 2026 first-round pick and have another protected (1-14) first round pick from the Portland Trail Blazers. The Bulls are currently ninth in the Eastern Conference, and the Blazers are ninth in the Western Conference. The Suns will only get to keep their 2026 first-round pick if it is worse than the Wizards’ pick or if the Wizards’ pick lands in the top 8 (and is protected). The Suns are currently sixth in the Western Conference and the Wizards are 14th in the Eastern Conference. The Wizards also would get whichever 2026 first-round pick is the worst among the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets (if it falls outside the top-4 protection), and the Los Angeles Clippers, but Houston’s pick would not be included if it ends up being in the top four.
The report does downplay the Suns and Wizards interest in Sabonis though.
“The Suns, as also noted elsewhere in this HoopsHype story, are unlikely to make a big splash such as acquiring Sabonis. In addition, the Wizards view Alex Sarr as their center of the future, league sources told HoopsHype, and despite brief exploratory conversations surrounding Sabonis before acquiring Trae Young, Washington is not inclined to trade for Sabonis at this time. If Washington had been incentivized to take on Sabonis’ contract, the Wizards would’ve considered such an acquisition, HoopsHype has learned.”
The Raptors, according to the report, have discussed RJ Barrett and Ochai Agbaji in the Sabonis talks.
“Sacramento has been resistant to Jakob Poeltl due to ongoing back issues and Immanuel Quickley due to his long-term contract in trade talks for Sabonis, HoopsHype has learned.”
On the Keon Ellis and DeMar DeRozan front, the report said the Kings have packaged “DeRozan and 3-and-D guard Keon Ellis with some teams around the league.”
The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 5, and it could be a pretty pivotal moment for the Kings franchise. (At least it should be.)