Report: Charlotte Hornets Interested in Trading For Sacramento Kings' Domantas Sabonis

The Charlotte Hornets are interested in trading for Sacramento Kings big man Domantas Sabonis, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. 

Sabonis will make $45,472,000 next season and $48,608,000 in the 2027-28 season. He's better suited to play for a contending team at this stage of his career and the Kings are nowhere close to being a playoff team. They are in deep rebuild mode.

"Per league sources, Sacramento and Charlotte have had recent talks about Kings big man Domantas Sabonis," Amick wrote. "While a deal is not imminent and appears unlikely before the June 23 draft, sources say the Hornets have some interest in the 30-year-old, three-time All-Star. The problem for now, it seems, is that the Kings have been hoping to land one of Charlotte’s two first-round picks (they have Nos. 14 and 18) in the deal, and the Hornets have signaled a desire to retain their picks and discuss Sabonis later in the summer. Sabonis has two seasons left on his deal ($45.4 million next season and $48.6 million in 2027-28)."

A three-time All-Star, Sabonis appeared in only 19 games for the Kings this season because of a knee injury. He averaged 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game while shooting 54.3% from the field, 18.5% from beyond the arc and 72.7% from the free-throw line.

The Hornets, who missed the playoffs by just one game this year, could start LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, Miles Bridges and Sabonis next season if Charlotte's front office trades for Sabonis. That's a lethal starting five on paper, although Charlotte may have to trade Bridges to get Sabonis. 

In that case, the Hornets can start Ball, Miller, Knueppel, Sabonis and Moussa Diabaté.

According to Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report, the Hornets have the trade resources to acquire a star forward or center this offseason. 

Sabonis has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Indiana Pacers and Kings. He has career averages of 16.1 points, 10.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game.

It will be interesting to see if the Hornets make any big trades this summer. Most people who cover the NBA believe Charlotte is one piece away from being a contender in the East. 

Sabonis isn't a superstar, but he's a talented rebounder and playmaker who would undoubtedly make Charlotte more formidable.  

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