Greg Swartz: Domantas Sabonis Would Fit Pistons ‘Really Well’

The highlight of the Sacramento Kings’ offseason was the draft, but trades were expected to play a bigger role in shaping their 2026-27 roster. Players such as Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and Malik Monk have been available, but finding an ideal suitor to take on their contracts has proven challenging.

Kings’ general manager Scott Perry isn’t looking to simply dump salary for nothing in return, as he seems content to wait for the deals to expire in the worst-case scenario. Sabonis would likely fetch the best package in return.

Sacramento reportedly attempted to convince the Pistons to sign-and-trade Jalen Duren back. That would allow them to ink a 22-year-old coming off an All-NBA season to a massive long-term contract. Detroit would prefer to keep Duren, but also didn’t express much interest in Sabonis, per reports.

Greg Swartz, NBA writer for Bleacher Report, told The Drive Guys that he believes Detroit would benefit from the addition of Sabonis.

“I love a hypothetical like Jalen Duren to the Kings, Domantas Sabonis and either picks or players back to Detroit,” he said. “Just because Sabonis would give them a new offensive dimension.”

“The contract’s hefty. It’s not terrible, but $45 million a year is a fair amount,” Swartz continued. “The injuries last year probably didn’t help. The Kings not being good last year probably didn’t help.”

The 6’10 big man played a season-low 19 games for the Kings last season due to a season-ending injury. Prior to that, he had never made fewer than 62 appearances and led the league in rebounding for three consecutive seasons.

Showing his knee is healthy and returning to form at the beginning of the season could be the best odds Sacramento and Sabonis have at a mutually beneficial parting.

He’s more of an offense-oriented player than the athletic Duren, but Swartz believes Sabonis could be a benefit to Cade Cunningham and the Pistons. “I think Sabonis, with his offensive creation, with his rebounding… I think he’s the perfect piece there.”

“I don’t understand why, if there hasn’t been a conversation there, why there hasn’t been, because I think he would fit Detroit really well.”

Whether it’s Detroit, Toronto, Charlotte, or another current unidentified team, it seems like Sabonis may be entering his last season on Sacramento’s roster.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

What is the next Sacramento Kings Offseason Event?

The start of the 2026-27 season is quickly approaching for Darius Acuff Jr. and the Sacramento Kings.

Sacramento will begin training camp in late September as they prepare to begin preseason play on Monday, October 5th when they face Luka Doncic and the new-look Los Angeles Lakers at Golden 1 Center.

Be sure to stay tuned into Sactown Sports all offseason for roster updates, schedule announcements, analysis, and much more.

Upcoming Sacramento Kings Offseason Schedule

• August TBD – 2026-27 NBA Schedule release
• Late September – NBA training camps begin

Sacramento Kings 2026-27 Preseason Schedule

• Monday, October 5th vs. Los Angeles Lakers (7 P.M. PST)
• Thursday, October 8th @ Los Angeles Lakers (7:30 P.M. PST)
• Saturday, October 10th @ Golden State Warriors (5:30 P.M. PST)
• Tuesday, October 13th vs. Portland Trail Blazers (7:00 P.M. PST)
• Friday, October 16th @ San Antonio Spurs (7:00 P.M. PST)

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

Related

Athletics part ways with GM David Forst following 11-year partnershipMac Jones says preparation is his strength as 49ers enter preseason49ers DC Raheem Morris has zero worries about Nick Bosa’s returnWhy Brock Purdy is finally getting the respect he deserves in NFL QB rankingsFaithful Flashbacks #24: Trading for Steve YoungBleacher Report’s Dan Favale names Kings’ best trade partners for Zach LaVine