Kings expected to shop Domantas Sabonis

The Sacramento Kings are expected to shop Domantas Sabonis this summer, according to a May 21 TalkBasket report that cited NBA reporter Evan Sidery’s May 20 post on X. The report said Sacramento is seeking 2026 draft capital and is prepared to move on from Sabonis as it weighs a younger frontcourt direction. (talkbasket.net) No trade agreement or formal offer was publicly announced as of May 21. Sam Amick of The Athletic, as summarized by Hoops Rumors on April 12, had already reported that Sacramento was expected to resume trade talks involving veterans including Sabonis this summer. (talkbasket.net) Hoops Rumors also said the Kings had “extensive” talks with Toronto before the February trade deadline, though Sacramento did not want to take back Jakob Poeltl’s salary at that time. ### Where does this report actually come from? Evan Sidery was the source cited by TalkBasket for the claim that Sacramento will “openly shop” Sabonis this offseason. TalkBasket said Sidery reported the Kings want 2026 draft assets in return and are leaning toward a younger frontcourt built around rookie big man Maxime Raynaud. (talkbasket.net) Fran Leiva of Fadeaway World, writing on May 21, described Sidery’s post as the latest spark for renewed Sabonis trade speculation. Fadeaway World said the rumors had returned because of “the contract, the injury, and the direction of the team,” while also noting that the article’s five trade destinations were proposed scenarios rather than reported negotiations. (hoopsrumors.com) ### Why would Sacramento consider moving Sabonis now? Sabonis, 30, played 19 games in the 2025-26 season and averaged 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists, according to both TalkBasket and Fadeaway World. Fadeaway World said he underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, and TalkBasket said availability had become a central issue in internal discussions about roster direction. (talkbasket.net) The Kings’ broader offseason posture also points to change. Hoops Rumors, citing Amick, reported Sacramento is expected to revisit trade talks on several veterans, including Zach LaVine, Malik Monk and DeMar DeRozan, after a 22-59 season. (fadeawayworld.net) ### How much money is attached to a Sabonis deal? Sabonis is owed $94.1 million over the next two seasons, with $45.5 million due in 2026-27 and $48.6 million in 2027-28, according to TalkBasket and Fadeaway World. That salary means any acquiring team would need to treat him as a major financial commitment, not a short-term flyer. (talkbasket.net) Fadeaway World said the Kings would need more than dead money in return and would likely look for rotation players, salary flexibility and at least one asset that fits a reset. That framing was analysis by Fadeaway World, not a statement from the Kings. (hoopsrumors.com) ### Are any teams actually in the mix yet? Toronto is the only team specifically tied to prior Sabonis talks in the sourced reporting. Hoops Rumors said Amick reported “extensive” discussions with the Raptors before the deadline, though those talks did not produce a trade. (talkbasket.net) Fadeaway World listed five possible destinations, but those were hypothetical landing spots assembled by the outlet. As of May 21, the public reporting cited here did not identify a new formal bidder, a live package under discussion, or a timetable for a completed deal. (fadeawayworld.net) ### What should readers watch next? June is the next concrete checkpoint because TalkBasket said league executives will be watching whether Sacramento formalizes its stance as the NBA Draft approaches. Hoops Rumors also said the Kings are expected to resume summer trade talks on veterans, putting Sabonis among the clearest names to monitor as front offices begin draft-week negotiations. (hoopsrumors.com) (talkbasket.net) (fadeawayworld.net)