The Sacramento Kings had their hand forced earlier this season when De'Aaron Fox requested a trade to the San Antonio Spurs. Fox spent parts of eight seasons in Sacramento and only made the postseason once, and could see the writing on the wall.
In the return for Fox, the Kings were able to snag Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls and could be the most dangerous team in the Play-In Tournament, although a first-round matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder could end their season early.
All-Star center Domantas Sabonis has witnessed firsthand the historical dysfunction the Kings are known for and could follow in Fox's footsteps, demanding a trade this offseason.
However, the Kings don't have reason to grant it to him. Fox's impending free agency was a factor, and Sabonis is signed long-term.
"With three more years and $140 million left on his current deal, Sabonis can't apply the same level of pressure as Fox, who'll be extension-eligible this summer and could have hit unrestricted free agency in 2026," wrote Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes. "Sabonis can seek all the clarity he wants, but Sacramento is under no pressure to appease a potential trade request if the market isn't favorable."
Trading away Sabonis this summer could yield a massive return, as teams without a star-quality center (Orlando Magic, New Orleans Pelicans, Indiana Pacers) could break the bank for Sabonis, although that would be an uncharacteristically smart move for the Kings to make.
"The Kings tend to prioritize staying competitive in the short term rather than making the tough decisions necessary to build a real contender," Hughes finished. "Moving Sabonis would actually be the right decision, and it would serve the latter, more ambitious purpose. That's why Sacramento isn't going to do it."
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For this season and the next, fans should expect the Kings to be frequent fixtures in the first round, but they might never make it past that stage.
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This story was originally published March 17, 2025 at 1:46 PM.