Stuck with massive salaries and limited suitors, Sacramento must rely on early-season dominance from their veteran stars to spark bidding wars before the trade deadline hits.
Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis were prime trade candidates this offseason, but the Sacramento Kings could not find any suitors to take their massive salaries.
Sacramento owes the duo over $94 million next season, a factor in its financial constraints this offseason. Their salaries were nearly half of the team's $200 million committed to next season's roster before general manager Scott Perry made several cost-cutting moves.
They will likely start the season with the Kings and attempt to recoup their trade value before the trade deadline.
Sabonis did generate some interest from multiple teams. The Toronto Raptors, Charlotte Hornets and Detroit Pistons reportedly checked in about acquiring the three-time All-Star.
A proposed framework with the Raptors included RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl to match Sabonis' salary. Barrett shares history with Perry, dating back to his time with the New York Knicks, and his name has floated around with the team since last year's trade deadline.
While Sacramento would likely pull the trigger to acquire a familiar player, Poeltl's $103.5 million owed over the next four seasons could have been the deal-breaker. His contract would hit the presumed financial flexibility next offseason.
Detroit became an interesting suitor when All-Star center Jalen Duren met with the Kings to orchestrate a sign-and-trade. Duren reportedly wanted the rookie maximum extension ($57.4 million), which would have required trading Sabonis or LaVine.
Multiple reports have noted the Pistons are uninterested in trading Duren, eliminating a suitor for Sacramento.
The Kings are willing to take the patient approach with their veterans throughout the season. They aren't going to trade Sabonis or LaVine for pennies on the dime; they're going to maximize the return they can get.
ESPN's Anthony Slater reported Sabonis recommitted to the team back in July after meeting with Perry, putting the team's best interests at heart. Sacramento is projected to win 19 games, three fewer than last season, and the veteran duo is talented enough to carry the team to close victories.
Despite a 2-6 start to last season, LaVine scored 30 points in five of the six games to start the year and Sabonis posted double-digit rebounds in five straight games. Those performances matter and could attract potential suitors even if the Kings are losing games.
LaVine's $48.9 million salary is coming off the books at the end of the season, but Perry should not risk letting the 12-year veteran walk for free.
One of the two massive contracts must go for the team to embrace the rebuild and prioritize the future without limitations.
