Sean Cunningham doesn’t rule out a Domantas Sabonis extension in Sacramento

The Sacramento Kings may view the coming season as a bridge to their 2027 cap flexibility, but KCRA 3’s Sean Cunningham isn’t ruling out a longer future in Sacramento for Domantas Sabonis.

Cunningham joined Sactown Sports’ The Drive Guys to discuss the Kings’ roster and the decisions ahead for the front office. He said expiring contracts and the chance to open cap space will shape the team’s plans, but Sabonis’ value could make an extension worth considering.

“I don’t rule out an extension possibility for him, depending upon what that looks like,” Cunningham said.

Sabonis, 30, has this season and next (2027-28) remaining on his current deal, with Sacramento on the hook for $94 million.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 28: Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Sacramento Kings poses for a picture during the Kings Media Day at Sacramento Kings Practice Facility on September 28, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

More on Kings C Domantas Sabonis

Domantas Sabonis has been mentioned as a potential trade piece, but Cunningham said he remains one of the NBA’s most consistent centers. The big question is whether he can stay healthy and return to the level of play he believes he can reach.

“If he goes out there this year and plays to really that type of player that he’s kind of vowed to be at the end of last year, saying, ‘I’m going to get my body right,’” Cunningham said, “I think that can change the minds of a lot of people.”

Cunningham pointed to Sabonis’ offensive production and rebounding as reasons the Kings could value keeping him.

He described Sabonis as an All-NBA-capable center and one of the league’s most consistent players, while noting that the team will need to see him perform before making a long-term decision.

That creates a tension for Sacramento. The front office has been working toward more financial flexibility in 2027, and Cunningham called the upcoming season a “placeholder year” in that larger plan.

Moving contracts could help clear space, but extending Sabonis would signal that the Kings see him as part of their future.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 24: Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after he made a basket against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Golden 1 Center on October 24, 2025 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Cunningham said the franchise has started laying groundwork for its next phase, including pursuing young players who could be part of the roster beyond 2027.

What the team does with Sabonis may depend on how he fits into that vision—and what kind of season he puts together.

“I could still envision a very long future for him in Sacramento,” Cunningham said.

The Kings enter the season with plenty of questions, from Darius Acuff Jr.’s development to how the roster will change. But Domantas Sabonis’ health and production could shape one of the franchise’s biggest decisions: whether to keep building around its established center or use his value to move in a different direction.

Listen to and watch Sactown Sports’ The Drive Guys with Kevin “Whitey” Gleason and Allen Stiles, airing weekdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. PT on Sactown Sports.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

• Mark Jones on the Kings’ keys to success in 2026-27
• Sacramento Kings fans rank 6th in Nielsen NBA Fandom Index
• Sacramento Kings announce 2026-27 opening night roster
• Kenny Caraway wants to see an aggressive Zach LaVine

Sacramento Kings 2026-27 Regular Season Schedule

• Friday, October 23rd vs. Portland Trail Blazers (7:00 P.M. PT)
• Sunday, October 25th vs. Memphis Grizzlies (6:00 P.M. PT)
• Tuesday, October 27th @ San Antonio Spurs (5:00 P.M. PT)
• Thursday, October 29th @ New Orleans Pelicans (5:00 P.M. PT)
• Saturday, October 31st @ Memphis Grizzlies (5:00 P.M. PT)

Thank you for reading SactownSports.com. Follow us on X/Twitter and Google News, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Related

Mark Jones on the Kings’ keys to success in 2026-27Sacramento Kings fans rank 6th in Nielsen NBA Fandom IndexSacramento Kings announce 2026-27 opening night rosterBen Simmons’ injury changes everything before Kings’ season openerBen Simmons suffers potentially season-ending injury at practiceGeorge: Takeaways from the Kings’ final preseason game