The Sacramento Kings have not closed the door on moving All-Star center Domantas Sabonis before this week’s trade deadline, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. Multiple league sources told Fischer that the Toronto Raptors are currently viewed as the most realistic destination.
Sam Amick of The Athletic added that Toronto’s interest in Sabonis is “very real,” though the Raptors are also evaluating other frontcourt options. Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford and Brooklyn Nets big man Day’Ron Sharpe remain on the team’s radar, and people close to Anthony Davis continue to believe Toronto could explore a run at the 10-time All-Star.
Talks with Sacramento face a major hurdle: Jakob Poeltl’s contract. The 28-year-old is owed nearly $104 million over the four seasons after this one, and sources told Amick that the Raptors would likely need to reroute Poeltl to finalize a Sabonis deal. The Kings have shown no interest in taking Poeltl back, making a three-team framework or an offseason revisit more likely.
Impact of Recent Kings Moves
League executives told Fischer that Sacramento’s recent three-team trade with Cleveland and Chicago—sending guard Keon Ellis to the Cavaliers and bringing in forward De’Andre Hunter—may cool the club’s pursuit of Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga. Ellis had been a potential target for the Warriors, and the addition of Hunter lessens Sacramento’s urgency for another wing.
Hunter, who addresses general manager Scott Perry’s desire for two-way players, carries a $26.1 million salary for 2026-27 that would push the Kings past next season’s projected luxury-tax line. John Hollinger of The Athletic criticized the front office for trading Dario Šarić in a cost-cutting move last summer, only to ship both Šarić and newly signed guard Dennis Schröder at a loss seven months later.
Morant, LaVine Updates
Fischer is skeptical that Sacramento will chase Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant. The 24-year-old is reportedly reluctant to sign an extension with the Kings, a stance Sacramento is said to understand.
Separately, a league source told Amick that Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine plans to pick up his $49 million player option for 2026-27. That looming cap hit is a key reason rival teams—and the Kings in particular—are hesitant to trade for LaVine before the deadline.
No firm timetable has been set for resolution on any of these fronts, and executives around the league would not be surprised if Sacramento revisits several of the discussed scenarios during the offseason.
Source: Hoops Rumors
