Kings Reportedly Discussed Domantas Sabonis Trade With Celtics, Pistons

Kings reportedly discussed Domantas Sabonis trade with Celtics, Pistons originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It’s no secret the Kings are in a rebuilding phase, as they look to build around a new, younger core led by the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Darius Acuff Jr.

But as that focus shifts towards the promising rookie, general manager Scott Perry still must figure out what to do with some of Sacramento’s high-paid veterans on long-term deals, namely Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine.

There have been several reports in recent months regarding the Kings’ attempts to trade Sabonis, including unsuccessful discussions with the Toronto Raptors at the NBA trade deadline in February and the Charlotte Hornets prior to the NBA Draft in June.

And now, as ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported in a story this week, Perry also engaged in trade talks with the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics involving Sabonis, who underwent season-ending knee surgery on Feb. 18.

“Perry visited with restricted free agent center Jalen Duren in early July and explored the idea of a sign-and-trade swap of big men,” Slater wrote, “but the Detroit Pistons balked at the idea of losing Duren for Sabonis, league sources said.

“There were predraft conversations about Sabonis with the Charlotte Hornets (who held pick Nos. 14 and 18) and at least one phone call with the Boston Celtics, team and league sources said, but nothing materialized. In Charlotte’s case, the idea would’ve been to pair Sabonis with point guard LaMelo Ball, but the franchise instead opted to trade Ball for draft picks and lean further into a youth movement.”

Duren, a 22-year-old NBA All-Star last season with the Pistons, perhaps would have been a better fit for the Kings’ new timeline with Acuff. But now, it appears Sabonis is set to return to Sacramento for the 2026-27 NBA season.

The veteran big man, who turned 30 in May, is coming off a disappointing year in which he played just 19 games; his 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game all were his lowest marks since his third NBA season in 2018-19.

Slater also reported Sabonis “has expressed a willingness to recommit and buy-in to this season’s team,” citing sources with the Kings. Sabonis still is owed just over $94 million over the final two seasons of his current contract. And though he is eligible for an extension, that isn’t currently on the table, according to Slater.

With LaVine seemingly remaining with the Kings as well, it’s set to be an interesting campaign for Sacramento as the team looks to transition from one core to another.

Download and follow The Deuce & Mo Podcast