Kings’ Sabonis Sent to Raptors in 4-Team Trade Idea

Domantas Sabonis' name appeared in a trade idea even three days before the Sacramento Kings' first preseason game next Monday.

Bleacher Report drafted a four-team deal that sent Sabonis to the Toronto Raptors. The Charlotte Hornets and Los Angeles Clippers were part of this deal.

Sabonis would get a fresh start in a new country, playing next to Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Barnes. He'd be the playmaker that transforms Toronto's offense and strengthens their rebounding.

The Raptors' playoff run ended against the Cleveland Cavaliers, in short, because they lacked the interior size to counter Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.

Sacramento got a haul from Toronto and Charlotte. The team received Royce O'Neale, Jakob Poeltl, Tidjaune Salaün, a 2027 first-round pick and three second-round picks.

General manager Scott Perry reportedly wants positive draft compensation in any Sabonis deal, per Jake Fischer. Teams have been hesitant to meet his asking price since the three-time All-Star has $94 million remaining in the last two years of his contract.

He also played a career-low 19 games last season after undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee last February.

The 2027 first is the most promising pick, giving Sacramento more ammo in next year's draft. Perry drafted Darius Acuff Jr., Emanuel Sharp and Alex Karaban; Acuff could become a franchise cornerstone, while Sharp and Karaban bring championship DNA from college, shooting and defense.

O'Neale is a nice addition to the Kings' roster, despite being the oldest player. The 33-year-old is a bona fide 3-and-D wing, shooting 38.9% from three in his career and is a great team defender.

Sacramento needs all the veteran leadership and two-way versatility it can get to overcome the low expectations. ESPN predicted the team to finish 19-63, and Zach Kram deemed them noncompetitive with their own pick.

Salaün would immediately join the Kings' youth movement. He's 21, entering his third season and can continue developing as a two-way player.

The third-year forward had an impressive summer league and faced Sacramento in the final consolation game. Salaün scored 18 points on 5-for-9 shooting, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked two shots.

He showcased impressive downhill scoring, converting tough layups through contact for and-1s.

Poeltl is the one reason this deal would fall through, or he'd need to be rerouted elsewhere. The 30-year-old is owed $84 million over the next three seasons, courtesy of the extension he signed with the Raptors last July.

Perry values financial flexibility, which the Kings will have next season with Zach LaVine and De'Andre Hunter's contracts expiring. Poeltl's deal is the direct antithesis of what the general manager is building toward.

LaVine exercised his $49 million player option, which was expected, and hampered the team's ability to sign free agents. They could only offer the veterans minimums -- going to Ben Simmons on a one-year, $3.5 million deal.

Poeltl's $84 million carries that same impact, but on a smaller scale.

Sabonis' tenure in Sacramento could end sooner rather than later. The noise around this situation has only gotten louder throughout the offseason.