Latest news with #DomantasSabonis
Newsweek
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Domantas Sabonis Linked to Surprise East Team in Offseason Buzz
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. 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. — 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. More NBA news: Thunder Have Chance to Match Michael Jordan's Bulls in Historic NBA Feat Big Announcement Made on Head Coaching Search Best Landing Spots For Timberwolves' Naz Reid Amid Free Agency Rumors For more Kings and general NBA news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Sacramento Kings' Best Move This NBA Offseason Ignores Obvious History
Sacramento Kings' Best Move This NBA Offseason Ignores Obvious History originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Sacramento Kings, according to early offseason rumors, are expected to be one of the busier teams in the NBA this summer. Advertisement The Kings very clearly need to shore up their defense and add a point guard, and players like Jrue Holiday or Marcus Smart would solve both issues, although in a very competitive Western Conference, the Kings' best course of action would be to rebuild. Domantas Sabonis, with three years left on his contract, commands a lot of value, and DeMar DeRozan, Malik Monk, and Zach LaVine all hold some value. The Kings have eight first-round picks between 2026 and 2031, although they don't have one in 2025. While tanking, building through the draft, and finding direction through youth is the smart thing to do, the Kings are in a unique situation. Apr 7, 2019; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein (00) heads downcourt during the second quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Golden 1 Center.© Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images Kings' History Suggests a Rebuild Won't Work With the Kings, it's easy not to have faith. They have made the postseason only once since Barack Obama's first term, and their draft history doesn't exactly inspire faith. Advertisement The Kings, as expected, usually have an early draft pick, but their ability to hit on those selections leaves a lot to be desired. Such blunders include taking Marvin Bagley before Luka Doncic, Trae Young, or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, taking Davion Mitchell over Alperen Sengun or Jalen Johnson, Willie Cauley-Stein over Devin Booker and Myles Turner, and Ben McLemore over Giannis Antetokounmpo. Maybe adding draft picks isn't the best thing to do, although fans can hope that new general manager Scott Perry can steer the ship in the right direction. Not so fast! Perry last served as GM for the New York Knicks for five drafts, picking players like Kevin Knox and Obi Toppin, who is solid, but not as good as Devin Vassell or Tyrese Haliburton, which is another can of worms that showcases the Kings' historical incompetence. Advertisement If a team with a proven track record of success found itself in the Kings' situation, there could be some faith in their ability to build through the draft, although Sacramento has failed at a truly remarkable rate. Check out the Inside the Kings homepage for more news, analysis, and must-read articles. Related: Sacramento Kings Make Coaching Decision on Friday Related: Proposed Mock Trade Sees Sacramento Kings Build Twin Towers Lineup This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Washington Post
The NBA Finals are set: It'll be Thunder vs. Pacers, starting Thursday night
The seeds for the 2025 NBA Finals began getting planted unknowingly in 2017, back when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was about to enroll at Kentucky and Tyrese Haliburton was getting ready for his senior year of high school in Wisconsin. That was the year the Indiana Pacers traded Paul George to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Pacers landed Domantas Sabonis out of that deal. The Thunder would trade George in 2019 to the Los Angeles Clippers for a package that included Gilgeous-Alexander. The Pacers would trade Sabonis in 2022 to Sacramento for a package that included Haliburton.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
If Kings Are To Trade Sabonis, Identifying Playmaker Is Crucial
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 16: (R-L) DeMar DeRozan #10, Domantas Sabonis #11, and Zach LaVine #8 ... More of the Sacramento Kings sit on the bench at the end of the game in their loss to the Dallas Mavericks in othe NBA play-in tournament game at Golden 1 Center on April 16, 2025 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by) For years, the Chicago Bulls miscast Zach LaVine as a number one option, despite a lack of on-ball creation which is ultimately necessary for such a role. Despite being overburdened with such a role, LaVine routinely put up huge offensive volume, on elite efficiency, signaling that he may be even better when playing off of someone else. As he arrived in Sacramento, as a component in the De'Aaron Fox trade, he was put next to Domantas Sabonis and former Bulls teammate DeMar DeRozan. While he performed well after the trade, questions about his role linger. Sabonis is openly considering all options this summer. When the organization traded away Fox, after having already shrunk the floor by acquiring DeRozan in the summer, the Lithuanian big man realized the roster was in a state of flux. If goes without saying that any Sabonis departure would likely result in a ripple effect that ultimately has LaVine traded to another team, or right back in the first option role he shouldn't be in. As such, for the Kings, the organization need to be keenly aware of this, should Sabonis request a trade. If they have aspirations of making a real dent in the Western Conference, an organizational pecking order will have to be established, and one that makes sense for them, as well as LaVine given he's now 30 and doesn't have all the time in the world anymore. LaVine being as costly as he is ($47.5 million next season) means he's worth much more as a player than as a trade asset for the Kings. Therefore, if Sabonis is to be moved, identifying a real playmaker has to be the main priority, for a multitude of reasons. As good as Malik Monk has been for the Kings, his on-ball creation advancements simply haven't made it so far as to justify him as the long-term solution at point guard. Of course, the Kings have to ponder if Sabonis can fetch an elite playmaker of some sort, as the big man comes with holes in his game as well, most of which centers around his lack of rim protection. Whatever offers they get on Sabonis, taking on role players, or players in need of being assisted at a high rate, should be of less priority, unless they wish to see LaVine handle the ball more than ever before. That won't do him, or them, any favors. Unless noted otherwise, all stats via PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tyrese Haliburton's Girlfriend Posted Sweet Message Before Eastern Conference Finals
For the second consecutive year, Tyrese Haliburton has led the Indiana Pacers to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Pacers began their playoff journey by defeating the Milwaukee Bucks, then shocked the No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers in five games in the second round. Haliburton and the Pacers are opening up the series on the road in Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks, but Haliburton received some support ahead of Wednesday night's huge Game 1. Advertisement "Pacers in 5," said Haliburton's girlfriend Jade Jones. She shared several photos of her and Haliburton's travels during the Pacers' playoff run this year. Jones has been in attendance at several games - both at home in Indianapolis and on the road. Jones has supported Haliburton throughout his basketball career, starting from when they met as students at Iowa State. They began dating in 2019, and she paid tribute to their six-year anniversary with an Instagram post earlier this year. "6 whole years of loving you 🩷 Every single day you continue to amaze me!!," Jones said. Advertisement "You make this world shine so incredibly bright and I'm so lucky to spend life by your side. You are so special to me, our love is one in a million." The point guard began his NBA career with the Sacramento Kings before he was traded to the Packers in exchange for Domantas Sabonis. The trade is considered one of the rare win-win moves in NBA history, as both players have realized their All-Star form after arriving at their new destinations. Haliburton and the Pacers are looking to make history with the team's first NBA championship. The Pacers last appeared in the NBA Finals in 2000, when they were swept by the Los Angeles Lakers. Advertisement The Pacers won three championships in the old ABA in the early 1970s The Knicks are dealing with a slightly longer drought, making their last NBA Finals as a No. 8 seed in the strike-shortened 1999 season. They were swept by the San Antonio Spurs and now seek their first championship since the '70s. Haliburton is a two-time All-Star, and made the All-NBA third team for the first time last season. Fans can tune in to see him and the Pacers take on the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals on TNT.
