The Sacramento Kings, for the seemingly 100th season in a row, will either miss the postseason entirely or lose in the first round. If the postseason started today, the Kings would have to beat the Dallas Mavericks and then either the Minnesota Timberwolves or Golden State Warriors just for a chance to meet the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.
With limited hope this season and a future that offers much of the same, the Kings are expected to dismantle their roster. Malik Monk, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan will likely command some value, but the real prize will be All-Star center Domantas Sabonis.
Averaging 18.9 points and 14 rebounds this season, Sabonis is expected to lead the league in rebounding for the third season in a row. Under contract for three seasons after this one and at only 28 years old, he could bring in a lofty return should the Kings decide to trade him.
Bringing him in would be a win-now move for any team, and he would fill a clear hole in the frontcourt.
Three teams are the best landing spots for him: the Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, and Orlando Magic.
The Pistons will have to reckon with Jalen Duren's rookie contract ending after next season, and if they can't agree on an extension or just don't feel like he's a part of their long-term future, Sabonis would be an immediate upgrade. Imagining Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, Tim Hardaway Jr., Ron Holland, and Sabonis run an offense would be a dream, and Detroit has the young talent, draft capital, and matching salary to get a deal done.
Of course, any landing spots list would be incomplete without the Los Angeles Lakers. They seemingly are always included, and the Luka Doncic deal just proved that's for good reason. If the Lakers can keep their core of Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves intact while adding Sabonis, it would be a dream come true.
James can opt out of his contract and sign a smaller deal, and if the Lakers make it clear that they're using the money saved to add an established All-Star, James wouldn't bat an eye at taking a pay cut and winning at least one more ring. The Lakers can offer Dalton Knecht and a first-round pick for Sabonis and could toss in some spare parts to sweeten the pot.
Related: Domantas Sabonis Could Make Critical Decision For Kings This Offseason
Finally, we have the Orlando Magic. Orlando is 27th in the league in rebounding, and they have the defense to make up for Sabonis' shortcomings. A lineup of Jalen Suggs, Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Sabonis would help get them back in the postseason, this time as a staple, not a fluke.
Of course, they'd have to part ways with serious draft capital and Jonathan Isaac, as well as a haul of young players.
Check out the Inside the Kings homepage for more news, analysis, and must-read articles.
Related: Kings Assistant GM Sends Message to Sacramento After Beginning New Chapter in NCAA
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This story was originally published March 30, 2025 at 3:50 PM.
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