Domantas Sabonis and his potential trade to the Toronto Raptors have been one of the most talked-about moves in the NBA ahead of the trade deadline. Sabonis signed a $217 million contract renegotiation with the Sacramento Kings in 2023.
According to recent reports, the star center’s potential trade depends on the Raptors making moves to clear roster space for the Lithuanian’s arrival.
Domantas Sabonis’ Trade Talks Have a Roadblock
Ahead of the NBA trade deadline, a recent report has revealed that talks between the Raptors and the Kings have stalled. Currently, the Raptors are trying to move on from center Jakob Poeltl in order to bring Sabonis to Toronto. Poeltl signed a contract extension with the Raptors in 2025.
“Domantas Sabonis and the Toronto Raptors have been a discussion that has gone on for months. Toronto is worried about having to attach first-round draft compensation to Jakob Poeltl, who has dealt with ongoing back issues. It’s going to take a multi-team trade here. So that always comes a little bit tricky,” revealed NBA insider Michael Scotto.
Domantas Sabonis trade talks between the Kings and Raptors, which would include RJ Barrett and Ochai Agbaji to Sacramento, have paused. Toronto is concerned about giving up too much first-round draft pick compensation to move Jakob Poeltl to a third team. Reporting on @YESNetwork pic.twitter.com/Q33FfYHqo6
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) February 4, 2026
As reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, Poeltl will pick up his $19.5 million player option for the 2026-27 season and add three more years to the deal. The four years beyond ’2025-26 will be worth $104MM in total.
According to recent reports, the Raptors center has been cleared for contact ahead of the Trade deadline. However, there has been no exact update on the date for his return from Raptors’ head coach Darko Rajakovic. The Raptors take on the Timberwolves tomorrow.
With concrete interest in the King’s center, recent reports have backed up the claim that Poetl must first be moved on in order to make way for the Lithuanian. Sabonis has averaged 15.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 18 games this season.
“Unless you see a deal unfold in which Poeltl heads elsewhere to make room for Domantas Sabonis, this is an ongoing discussion that will likely resume in the offseason. There’s genuine interest from the Raptors in Sabonis, though.” revealed the Athletic’s Sam Amnick.
One team that has reported interest in taking on Poeltl’s contract is the Memphis Grizzlies. According to reports from Brett Siegel, the Grizzlies may be open to taking on the center’s contract. This comes after a blockbuster trade sent Jaren Jackson Jr to the Utah Jazz.
“All of a sudden, the Grizzlies have emerged as a potential suitor for Raptors center Jakob Poeltl as Toronto continues to pursue Kings star Domanats Sabonis, league sources told ClutchPoints.” Siegel revealed in his report.
Following that report, there have been no further updates on the situation between Memphis and Toronto. However, should this trade go through before the deadline, it will likely be the final move needed for the Raptors to land Domantas Sabonis.
