Domantas Sabonis Linked to Surprise East Team in Offseason Buzz
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The Sacramento Kings have had two tough back-to-back seasons after their stellar 2022-23 season. That season, the Kings landed with the No. 3 seed in the West and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
The expectation after that stellar season was that the Kings were ready to make the next step nd establish themselves as the Western Conference powerhouse. Instead, they were unable to replicate that success and are now stuck in the middle.
The Kings finished the season with a 40-42 record and dropped the Play-In Tournament game in front of their home fans.
Now, the Kings are stuck in the middle and with that comes some potential moves they could make this summer. One player whom they could shop is their best player and All-Star big man, Domantas Sabonis.
Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during player introductions ahead of playing the Toronto Raptors in their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on March 20, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during player introductions ahead of playing the Toronto Raptors in their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on March 20, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Photo bySabonis has been on the trading block for some time, and with the offseason approaching, he will be linked to many teams. One team that could emerge as a possible suitor is the Toronto Raptors.
NBA analyst and writer Jake Weinbach listed the Raptors as a team that could make a swing at Sabonis.
"The Raptors are one team to keep an eye on in a potential pursuit for Domantas Sabonis if the Kings decide to shift in a different direction.
"Toronto should explore all kinds of different avenues to upgrade the roster with playoff contention in mind next season," wrote Weinbach.
The Raptors are one team to keep an eye on in a potential pursuit for Domantas Sabonis if the Kings decide to shift in a different direction.
Toronto should explore all kinds of different avenues to upgrade the roster with playoff contention in mind next season. https://t.co/QXhWacIlZy — Jake Weinbach (@JWeinbachNBA) June 2, 2025
The Raptors are a team that has struggled to get back into contention since winning the 2019 title. Although they have a handful of solid players on their roster, it's clear that there is a ceiling with this current group.
Toronto has quietly built an impressive collection of trade assets, blending promising young talent with considerable draft capital. With several first-round picks — including protected selections and potential swaps — the Raptors are in a strong position to make serious moves on the trade front.
Key players potentially available in a deal include Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji, Ja'Kobe Walter, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley. Add to that their full slate of future first-round picks — highlighted by the No. 9 overall pick in this year's draft — and Toronto has the flexibility to put together a compelling offer for a star-caliber player.
Sabonis is coming off a stellar season, during which he averaged 19.1 points per game, 13.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 0.7 steals while shooting 59 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from three-point range on 2.2 attempts per game.
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For more Kings and general NBA news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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