The Charlotte Hornets may finally have their chance to make a serious move in the Eastern Conference. With LaMelo Ball running the show and Brandon Miller emerging as a future star, Charlotte has the foundation of a playoff-caliber team, but they still lack the veteran All-Star presence that can push them over the top.
The timing couldn’t be better: the East is suddenly wide open with Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton sidelined by Achilles injuries, giving ambitious franchises a rare window to rise. That's why we believe they should target Domantas Sabonis.
The Sacramento Kings’ All-Star big man has been one of the most productive frontcourt players in the league, but the Kings find themselves stuck in the brutal Western Conference, where they obviously won't have a shot to win.
If Sacramento decides to blow it up and cash in their franchise centerpiece for future assets, Charlotte could be an ideal trade partner. Pairing Sabonis with Ball would give the Hornets a dynamic little-big tandem, instantly raising their ceiling and transforming them into one of the most dangerous up-and-coming teams in the East. Let's get into it.
Proposed Trade Details
Charlotte Hornets Receive: Domantas Sabonis
Sacramento Kings Receive: Miles Bridges, Grant Williams, 2028 first-round pick (CHO) 2030 first-round pick (CHO), 2031 first-round pick (CHO), 2031 second-round pick (CHO), 2031 second-round pick (NYK), 2031 second-round pick (PHX)
Hornets Create Best Little-Big Tandem In The East
The Charlotte Hornets have been searching for years to find the missing piece alongside LaMelo Ball (25.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 7.4 APG), and Domantas Sabonis could be the answer. Ball is already one of the league’s most creative playmakers, and Sabonis has proven to be one of the best passing bigs in the NBA.
Together, they’d form a devastating little-big tandem capable of controlling tempo, punishing defenses in the half court, and excelling in transition. Few East teams could match that star power inside and outside.
Adding Sabonis (19.1 PPG, 13.9 RPG, 6.0 APG in 2024-25) also accelerates Brandon Miller’s development (21.0 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.6 APG). With Sabonis drawing constant attention in the paint and Ball running the offense, Miller would thrive as the third option, where he can start learning the ropes. Charlotte’s offense would suddenly boast three legitimate scoring threats, and Sabonis’ rebounding dominance would patch one of the Hornets’ biggest weaknesses.
In an Eastern Conference suddenly lacking top-heavy dominance due to injuries to Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton, Charlotte has a rare chance to leap into the spotlight. A team that has long been stuck in mediocrity could now realistically aim for home-court advantage in the playoffs and, perhaps, its first deep postseason run in franchise history.
Kings Start The Rebuild With Six Total Picks
For the Sacramento Kings, this trade signals a willingness to reset while the Western Conference continues to get more difficult. By moving Sabonis, Sacramento gains not just two starting-caliber forwards in Miles Bridges and Grant Williams, but also an impressive draft haul headlined by three unprotected first-round picks.
That’s the kind of capital small-market teams need when looking to rebuild without access to superstar free agents on a yearly basis. Bridges provides the Kings with an immediate scoring punch and athleticism (20.3 PPG, 7.5 RPG), while Williams (10.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG) brings toughness, defense, and playoff experience.
Though neither can replicate Sabonis’ impact alone, both fit well in terms of being movable assets going forward. It’s a balanced approach since they are adding players who can contribute today while building long-term flexibility.
The six total picks in this deal are the real prize. Sacramento would enter the next decade with the kind of draft ammunition needed to chase a star trade or build organically through the draft. In a conference where the Thunder, Rockets, Nuggets, Clippers, Lakers, and Timberwolves all loom large, pivoting toward the future may be the wisest play.
A Strong Win-Now Move By Hornets Who Are Sick Of The Basement
For Charlotte, this deal represents a cultural reset that their fans are screaming for. The Hornets have been buried in the Eastern Conference basement for years, often looking like an afterthought in NBA discussions.
By swinging big for Sabonis, they announce to the league that they’re no longer content with rebuilding seasons and lottery odds. This would finally be an intent to win now. Quite frankly, Sabonis instantly transforms the Hornets’ identity.
He provides the interior force the team has lacked for over a decade while complementing Ball’s creativity and Miller’s scoring. Charlotte would now feature one of the most balanced cores in the conference, with a legitimate chance to challenge any team in a seven-game series.
The cost is steep: Bridges, Williams, and six draft picks, but that’s the reality of acquiring an All-NBA caliber player in his prime. The Hornets are gambling that Sabonis’ fit with Ball and Miller will vault them into contender status, and with the East wide open, it’s a gamble worth taking.
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