Insider shares details of Kings-Hornets trade discussions involving Domantas Sabonis

Reports surrounding Domantas Sabonis continue to generate plenty of discussion around the NBA, and NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype provided additional context during his appearance on Sactown Sports’ The Drive Guys.

Earlier this week, The Athletic‘s Sam Amick reported that the Sacramento Kings and Charlotte Hornets had discussed a deal involving the three-time All-Star, though talks had not progressed toward an agreement.

According to Amick, Sacramento has been seeking one of Charlotte’s two first-round picks (14 or 18), while the Hornets have preferred to hold onto those selections and revisit conversations later in the offseason.

According to Scotto, the two teams have discussed the framework, and draft capital has been a key component of Sacramento’s approach.

Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Sacramento Kings dribbles the ball against the Atlanta Hawks at Golden 1 Center on November 12, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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“Sacramento, to my knowledge, has sought a first-round pick in any conversation that they’ve had regarding Domantas Sabonis,” Scotto explained.

Despite Sabonis playing only 19 games last season due to injuries, Scotto noted that the Kings still view the 30-year-old as one of their most valuable assets.

“This is a guy that, before last year playing 19 games due to injuries, he was one of the top frontcourt players in the league over the past three seasons before that,” Scotto said. “They still feel like he’s got value, and of the three guys that they’ve been looking at of their veterans to move as they enter this rebuilding phase, that he has the most value.”

Scotto added that league executives generally share that assessment.

“If you ask people around the league on other teams, I would agree with that,” he said.

It’s hard to argue against the notion that Sabonis remains one of the NBA’s premier bigs. Over the past four seasons, Sabonis has averaged 19.0 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game while shooting just under 60 percent from the field and 38 percent from beyond the arc (250 games).

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Sabonis has posted 50 triple-doubles since the start of the 2022-23 season and is now ranked 10th all-time in NBA history with 68.

While Charlotte has pushed back on including either first-round pick, Scotto believes Sacramento’s focus remains squarely on future assets.

“I think it’s got to be more of a first-round pick, whether it’s now or in the future,” Scotto said. “It’s about building for the future for this group.”

Should talks with the Hornets stall, Scotto identified Toronto as another team worth monitoring, though he acknowledged that previous frameworks between the Kings and Raptors have been complicated by contract concerns and differing valuations.

Check out the full conversation at the top of the page or by heading over to the Sactown Sports YouTube channel.

Listen to The Drive Guys from 2 – 6 p.m. PST, 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., 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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