Sam Amick expands on his report of Kings-Hornets trade talks involving Domantas Sabonis

The Sacramento Kings have explored numerous avenues to reshape their roster this offseason, and according to The Athletic‘s Sam Amick, one of those conversations involved three-time All-Star center Domantas Sabonis.

Appearing on Sactown Sports’ The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross, Amick expanded on his recent report that the Kings and Charlotte Hornets had discussed a potential deal involving Sabonis. While the talks are real, Amick made it clear that a trade remains far from imminent.

“I mean, it’s real interest from the Charlotte side,” Amick said. “But it was portrayed as pretty unlikely because of Charlotte’s desire to potentially draft a big with one of their two picks rather than give one of those two picks to the Kings.”

The framework of a possible trade appears to be where negotiations have stalled. Sacramento’s interest in additional draft capital is tied directly to replacing the production they’d lose by moving Sabonis.

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

More on Domantas Sabonis trade talks

“I think the Kings’ concern, depending on what the trade looked like, is they don’t want to be down a big by dealing Domantas,” Amick explained. “If they got the extra pick, I think they would go after one in the draft.”

Timing has also become an obstacle. According to Amick, Charlotte would prefer to revisit matters later in the offseason, while Sacramento is looking to make moves before the NBA Draft.

“The two teams have different ideas about the timing of it,” Amick said. “Charlotte is looking to reassess later in the summer, and that doesn’t really help the Kings with the way they’re trying to move.”

Amick suggested the bigger takeaway from the discussions may be the overall market for the 30-year-old center, who has averaged 19.0 points, 13.1 rebounds and 7.0 assists over the past four seasons.

“The more relevant takeaway is that I don’t think the market is too robust for Domantas Sabonis right now, and Charlotte is one of the few teams that seems to have genuine interest,” Amick said.

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Sacramento’s motivation stems from its desire to create financial flexibility while adding draft assets.

According to Amick, Domantas Sabonis is the player who gives the organization the clearest path to accomplishing both goals, especially when you factor in that the Kings have two young centers (All-Rookie center Maxime Raynaud and shot-blocking big Dylan Cardwell) on the roster to build around.

“They would like to simultaneously get off money and get additional draft assets,” Amick said. “Domantas is kind of the only guy you can do that with.”

Sacramento has a few options when it comes to offloading salary this offseason, but Domantas Sabonis is undoubtedly the more attractive asset in comparison to Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan.

LaVine’s $49 million player option will almost certainly be picked up before his June 29th deadline, but the guard’s deal will at least become an expiring contract that Kings general manager Scott Perry can look to move during the offseason of the February trade deadline.

DeMar DeRozan has a partially guaranteed deal for 2026-27 ($10 million, worth up to $25.7 million if he’s on Sacramento’s roster on January 10, 2027), but is entering his age-37 season.

If Perry wants to make a splash on the trade market, moving Domantas Sabonis is likely the best chip that he has this summer. Whether or not that chip nets a first-round pick in return remains the most glaring question.

Check out the full conversation regarding Domantas Sabonis trade talks 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.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

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., Houston’s Kingston Flemings, 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)
• Saturday, July 4th – Monday, July 6th – California Classic at Golden 1 Center
• Thursday, July 9th – NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins
• Monday, July 13th – Free Agency moratorium ends / signings can become official

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