The Charlotte Hornets still have interest in Domantas Sabonis, but Sacramento's asking price remains too high for a deal right now.
Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer said in his latest NBA insider update that the Charlotte Hornets still have interest in Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis, just not at Sacramento's current asking price.
The Kings want positive value and draft compensation in a Sabonis deal, Fischer said. Other teams have not been eager to give the 30-year-old the contract extension he is seeking.
"I do think interest from the Hornets is still generally there," Fischer said. "I don't think Charlotte is motivated to meet the Kings' asking price, but if the price comes down, I would think that Charlotte is still a team to monitor in Sabonis' ultimate trade landscape."
"But I don't think anything is coming to fruition anytime soon," Fischer added.
Hornets Still Monitoring Sabonis
Sabonis has two seasons left on his contract. He is set to earn $45 million in 2026-27 and $49 million in 2027-28, and he is eligible for an extension. He also switched representation from Wasserman to CAA this summer.
A knee injury limited the three-time All-Star to 19 games last season. Sabonis averaged 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while shooting 54.3% from the field, 18.5% from 3-point range, and 72.7% from the free-throw line.
He made the All-NBA Third Team in 2023 and 2024.
About a week earlier, Fischer said Charlotte and the Toronto Raptors had both been in discussions with Sacramento about Sabonis as recently as this summer. He described Toronto's talks before the February trade deadline as the more focused and serious of the two.
Sacramento's Asking Price Has Been an Issue
Before the June 23 draft, Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that the Kings wanted one of Charlotte's two first-round picks, Nos. 14 and 18.
The Hornets preferred to keep both and revisit Sabonis later in the summer.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that one framework discussed between the teams included Miles Bridges, Josh Green, and a potential first-round pick.
Neither Bridges nor Green is still in Charlotte.
The Hornets sent LaMelo Ball and Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a four-team trade that became official in July. Charlotte received Naz Reid, Mo Gueye, a 2033 first-round pick from Minnesota, three first-round pick swaps, three second-round picks, and the draft rights to Matteo Spagnolo.
Bridges was traded to the Phoenix Suns.
Hornets Have Financial Flexibility
The Ball deal created a $40.7 million trade exception for Charlotte. ESPN's Bobby Marks called it the largest in league history.
Sabonis' 2026-27 salary is about $4.8 million higher than the exception.
After trading Ball, the Hornets re-signed Coby White to a three-year, $74 million contract.
Charlotte reached the Play-In Tournament last season and hosted the Miami Heat on April 14.
In Sacramento, Maxime Raynaud made the All-Rookie Second Team as the No. 42 overall pick after averaging 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds.
The Hornets have until one year after the Ball trade was finalized to use the exception. The 2026-27 trade deadline is Feb. 11, 2027.
