The Sacramento Kings entered the 2025–26 season hoping to build momentum, but instead have stumbled out of the gate. A 6–19 start has dropped them to 13th in the Western Conference and reignited trade speculation around All-Star center Domantas Sabonis.
As chatter around the league grows louder, three teams have emerged as potential suitors should Sacramento decide to explore a move.
Three NBA Teams Interested in Domantas Sabonis
As Sacramento’s season unraveled early, speculation surrounding Sabonis’ future has once again begun to surface, and with January approaching, the chatter is only intensifying. Still, according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, first-year Kings general manager Scott Perry is preaching patience.
“For Sabonis’ part, league sources say the 29-year-old big man has heeded that call for patience,” Amick wrote. “His contract runs through the 2027-28 season, with a combined $94 million owed in the next two seasons, meaning his market is inevitably limited by the sheer magnitude of the money owed.
“Teams like Washington, the Phoenix Suns, and Chicago have shown significant interest in the past and are still believed to be on his short list of possible suitors, but Sabonis is prepared to remain in a Kings jersey for the foreseeable future.”
The Washington Wizards are currently far from contention, and with Sabonis not playing at his peak, committing fully to a draft-focused rebuild may be the more logical path for Washington. Phoenix and Chicago, meanwhile, could certainly use frontcourt help, but Sabonis’ four-year, 186 million contract remains a significant obstacle for both franchises.
Sabonis began his NBA career with the Oklahoma City Thunder, but it wasn’t until his move to the Indiana Pacers that he truly established himself. There, he emerged as a dependable 20-point, 10-rebound force and became a key contributor to Indiana’s late-2010s success.
The Kings later identified Sabonis as the ideal partner for De’Aaron Fox, leading to the blockbuster trade that sent Tyrese Haliburton to Indiana. The results were immediate, as Sabonis continued his ascent and helped Sacramento return to the postseason.
However, the past few seasons have not gone according to plan. After moving on from Fox last year, the Kings have struggled mightily in 2025–26, stumbling to a 6–19 record and sitting 13th in the Western Conference.
A full-scale teardown appears increasingly likely, especially with much of the roster underperforming. Sabonis would naturally be among the most valuable trade chips, but given his contract and limited market, Perry may opt to remain patient rather than force a deal.
