Is it too soon for the Kings to move on from Domantas Sabonis?
Domantas Sabonis remains at the center of Sacramento Kings trade rumors as Carmichael Dave and Jason Ross debate the team’s offseason.
Watch: Too Soon For The Kings To Move On From Domantas Sabonis? | 10 mins
The future of Domantas Sabonis with the Sacramento Kings remains one of the biggest questions surrounding the franchise this offseason.
During a recent discussion on Sactown Sports’ The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross, the guys debated whether Sacramento should move on from the All-NBA center or hold onto him despite ongoing trade speculation.
Sabonis is coming off the most difficult season of his NBA career after appearing in just 19 games before undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.
The injury halted what had been one of the league’s most durable runs, as Sabonis had previously played in 79, 82, and 70 games during his first three full seasons in Sacramento.
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
More on Domantas Sabonis
Despite the injury-shortened campaign, Domantas Sabonis still averaged 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while shooting 54 percent from the field. His production, combined with three consecutive rebounding titles from 2022-2025, continues to make him one of the NBA’s most productive centers in recent memory.
Carmichael Dave argued that trading Sabonis now could mean selling low on one of Sacramento’s best assets.
“I don’t know that his value could be lower than it currently is,” Dave said. “There’s no reason to think he’s not going to come back healthy. There’s no reason to think he’s not going to play 70 to 80 games.”
Dave also pointed to Sabonis’ long track record of production, noting the big man has averaged roughly 19 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists during his Kings tenure while consistently shooting near 60 percent from the field.
“You’re talking about a guy that pretty much, in every stretch of the imagination, is what I like to call diet Jokic,” Dave said. “He is not Nikola Jokic, but if you added eight points a game, you pretty much have Nikola Jokic.”
Still, Ross acknowledged Sacramento’s financial reality and the direction new general manager Scott Perry appears to be considering.
The Kings enter the offseason in desperate need of financial flexibility, and Domantas Sabonis’ sizeable contract–along with Zach LaVine’s pending $49 million player option–will almost assuredly be dangled in trade talks this summer.
Domantas Sabonis was heavily linked to the Toronto Raptors in trade talks during February’s NBA Trade Deadline, and it’s possible both sides revisit those talks this summer on the heels of Toronto’s first-round exit against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The emergence of All-Rookie Second Team center and 2025 NBA Draft steal Maxime Raynaud gives Perry some wiggle room when it comes to the idea of moving on from the 30-year-old veteran.
“I think if you can get the right deal, I think it’s got to be looked at for sure,” Ross said. “They need to get younger to clear up the money a little bit.”
The debate ultimately centered around timing. While both hosts agreed Domantas Sabonis likely carries significantly more trade value than LaVine, they questioned whether this summer is the right moment to make a move.
“There’s no rush,” Dave said. “The Kings need to get rid of salary, they need to get younger, they need to get better.”
Check out the full conversation at the top of the page or by heading over to the Sactown Sports YouTube channel.
Listen to The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross from 6 – 10 a.m. PDT, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.
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What is the next Sacramento Kings Offseason Event?
The Sacramento Kings are preparing for a crucial 2026 NBA Draft, which is set to take place from Tuesday, June 23rd, through Wednesday, June 24th.
Sacramento owns the 7th pick in the Draft, giving them a chance at selecting a talented player with upside, such as Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr., Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr., and Illinois guard Keaton Wagler, among others.
Be sure to stay locked into Sactown Sports for pre-draft workout news, player breakdowns, draft rumors and MUCH more.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings & NBA Offseason Schedule
- Tuesday, June 23rd – NBA Draft (Round 1)
- Wednesday, June 24th – NBA Draft (Round 2)
- Tuesday, June 30th – NBA Free Agency negotiation period begins (3 PM PT)
- Thursday, July 9th – NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins
- Monday, July 13th – Free Agency moratorium ends / signings can become official
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Comments
1 Comments
I hope Perry's first priority is trying to move Zach and find a trade for DeRo...or just buy him out right. Trade Zach & Carter maybe for Porter Jr., Mann + a 2nd or two.
I think it'd be smart for Perry and the Kings to at least hold on to Domas, try to increase his value coming on the injury, and then by next season would only have 1 yr left on his deal, so could get more in return for him. He's one of my all time fave Kings, and still just 30 and might have another 6-7 good years left, so I'm hoping they keep him. Even though most of Kings nation sadly wants him gone.