A potential swap of Domantas Sabonis for R.J. Barrett remains stalled by Jakob Poeltl’s massive contract as Sacramento balances salary cap pressures against front-office reunions.
The Toronto Raptors forced a Game 7 against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round, but lost the series, which could spark conversations about revisiting trade discussions with the Sacramento Kings.
Toronto's R.J. Barrett, Jakob Poeltl and Sacramento's Domantas Sabonis were often mentioned in trade rumors. Matt George and Kayla Anderson of "The Matt and Kayla Show" on Sactown Sports 1140 highlighted the discussed framework between the two teams.
The deal centered around sending Sabonis, the three-time All-Star, to the Raptors in return for Barrett. However, George noted Poetl's contract was the obstacle preventing the deal from progressing.
Poeltl signed a four-year, $104 million contract extension last July. The Austrian center will earn $27.3 million, $29.48 million and $27.3 million over the next three seasons.
Taking Poeltl in a deal is an extreme commitment for the Kings, who are trying to shed salary and get out of the luxury tax.
"The Sacramento Kings are trying to get off money, not take on more money," George said on Monday. "Scott Perry didn't want to do that. Scott Perry was also not willing to give up draft picks, and he still isn't willing to give up draft picks in order to offload money. So, he's not going to do that."
Sabonis is entering the second-to-last year of his five-year, $217 million contract extension he signed in 2023. He will earn $45.47 million next season, which is the second-highest under Zach LaVine if he opts in to his $49 million player option.
Sacramento will pay its roster $205.16 million next season, surpassing the dreaded second apron for a team tied for the fourth-worst record (22-60).
Barrett is in the final year of his four-year, $107 million contract extension he signed with the New York Knicks in 2022. He will earn $29.61 million next season, which would make him the third-highest-paid player on Sacramento.
George also highlighted one reason the Kings covet Barrett: his relationship with general manager Scott Perry. Perry was also the Knicks general manager during the Canadian's tenure in New York.
"R.J. Barrett is very much a Scott Perry guy," George said. "I think it was Sam Amick that reported too, like, R.J. and Scott are still very close. And they greeted each other when the Raptors came to Sacramento and had a very public embrace between the two. Scott very much believes in R.J. I know that for a fact."
There is a connection linking Barrett to the Kings, but Poeltl's contract is too steep a commitment for Sacramento.
Poeltl has touch around the rim, averaging 12.4 points on 65.9% from the field in four seasons with Toronto. He rebounds the ball (8.6) and has active hands to show some defensive activity (1.2 blocks and one steal).
However, he has not played over 57 games since joining the Raptors, excluding the 26 games he played after being traded from the San Antonio Spurs.
Toronto would likely have to include a third team to take on Poeltl's contract, but his deal is a steep commitment for other teams as much as it is for Sacramento.
George brainstormed another scenario because of the Poeltl dilemma, and it's predicated on the Kings drafting BYU AJ Dybantsa or North Carolina's Caleb Wilson.
He mentioned that Keegan Murray could be traded to the Raptors for Barrett because of his increasing value and Dybantsa or Wilson playing his natural position on a cheaper deal.
"Keegan is the highest value player that the Sacramento Kings have right now," George said. "And that might even be shifting or going down because now Keegan is starting a new contract."
Murray, the Kings' No. 4 pick in the 2022 draft, signed a five-year, $140 million rookie contract extension last October. He will earn an average of $28 million over the next five seasons.
A trade package centering Murray and Barrett would have to wait until July 1, as Murray's one-year trade restriction from his extension will lift on that day, making him trade eligible.
The Raptors' offseason began after losing to the Cavaliers in Game 7 last Sunday, and their rumored interactions with the Kings during the trade deadline could reignite discussions in the summer.
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