Two-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis might have already played his final game for the Sacramento Kings.
The Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors are still discussing a deal for Sabonis with Thursday’s NBA trade deadline fast approaching. The Raptors, who are tied for fourth in the Eastern Conference, want to add Sabonis to a core group that features Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes, but one big obstacle remains.
According to multiple reports, the Kings and Raptors have discussed a deal that would send Sabonis to Toronto in exchange for RJ Barrett and Ochai Agbaji. However, another player would have to be included to match Sabonis’ $43.6 million salary, and the Kings are unwilling to take back the money owed to Jakob Poeltl or Immanuel Quickley.
The Kings (12-39) are looking to make wholesale changes. They have the worst record in the NBA after losing nine in a row as they prepare to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday at Golden 1 Center after returning from a winless six-game road trip. The Kings made their first move to address roster imbalances Saturday when they acquired forward De’Andre Hunter as part of a three-team deal that sent guards Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto provided an update on trade talks between the Kings and Raptors during a Tuesday appearance on Canada’s Sportsnet television and Sportsnet 590 The Fan radio. Scotto noted that Kings general manager Scott Perry drafted Barrett when he was with the New York Knicks in 2019.
“The biggest thing I’m keeping an eye on Toronto is whether they end up making a big splash somewhere in the frontcourt,” Scotto said. “Do they end up with Domantas Sabonis, who they’ve been looking at since the summer? There have been talks with the Sacramento Kings. They’ve involved RJ Barrett and Ochai Agbaji, and RJ Barrett, of course, Scott Perry drafted with the New York Knicks when the two were together there.
“Toronto’s been trying to get off Agbaji to duck the luxury tax. The big question whether there would be a third team to take either Immanuel Quickley or Jakob Poeltl to kind of help make the finances work, and obviously there would be first-round draft pick compensation involved here because those guys have a lot of money owed to them and they are not viewed as a positive asset around the league.”
The Athletic zeroed in on Poeltl as the player who will have to go to a third team in order for the Kings and Raptors to finalize a deal for Sabonis. Poeltl hasn’t played since Dec. 21 due to a lower back strain. Sportsnet’s Michael Grange reported that Poeltl, who has been cleared for full contact basketball activities, was seen doing two-on-two work with development coaches following Tuesday’s practice.
“While the Toronto Raptors are indeed a serious suitor for the Sacramento Kings’ Domantas Sabonis, they’ll need to find a new home for big man Jakob Poeltl — outside of Sacramento — if any Sabonis deal is going to happen, team and league sources told The Athletic on Monday,” the website reported.
“The Kings, the sources say, have made it clear they aren’t willing to take on the combined $103 million owed to Poeltl over the next four seasons ($81.2 million is guaranteed). Unless you see a deal unfold in which Poeltl heads elsewhere to make room for Sabonis, this is an ongoing discussion that will likely resume in the offseason. There’s real interest from the Raptors in Sabonis, though.”
Sabonis, 29, is in the second year of a four-year, $186 million contract. He is averaging 15.4 points, 11.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists this season.
Barrett, 25, is in the third year of a four-year, $107 million contract. The 6-foot-6, 214-pound forward is averaging 18.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists.
Agbaji, 25, is in the final year of a four-year, $18.7 million contract. The 6-5, 215-pound guard is averaging 4.3 points and 2.3 rebounds.