Sacramento won't get personal wins here now that the league's trade deadline is over.
The Sacramento Kings sprouted as a potential aggressive player in the trade market before the 2025 holiday season. That came during a time Malik Monk, Keon Ellis, DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis were linked in potential moves.
Fast forward to the first week of February, suddenly Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant entered the picture as a possible future Sacramento King.
The deadline officially passed as of noon PT. And here's where Sacramento stands:
-- Morant remains in Grind City.
-- Same with three of the four Kings mentioned in the first paragraph.
Sacramento currently has 40 losses ahead of its Friday home contest against a now James Harden-less Los Angeles Clippers team -- since LAC sent him to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Yet the Kings add new losses even before that weekend game. Here's where Sacramento lost with league trades now coming to a cease:
Not Finding a Suitor for Domantas Sabonis
Of all the most tradeable Kings players, Sabonis looked like the one who would've drawn the most intrigue. After all, he's still 29 and a three-time NBA All-Star. And he recaptured his double-double form after returning from a partially torn MCL.
Yet he remains inside the Kings' locker room.
This feels like a win-loss scenario here...leaning more towards the latter.
For one, Sabonis appeared ready for a change of scenery. Then the Toronto Raptors entered the fray which involved Jakob Poeltl and taking on his massive salary.
The Kings should've taken on what Poeltl was making to complete this deal. Then either restructure it or do away with it afterward. But then there's this bombshell from ESPN NBA insider Marc J. Spears:
That's right -- Khris Middleton could've been a King but that got blown up too.
Sacramento basically went 0-for-2 here involving Sabonis. Multiple reports reveal the Kings wanted draft capital including an extra first rounder involving Sabonis.
Yet the market lowers when a player is returning from injury and nearing his 30s -- which is Sabonis' situation. General manager Scott Perry takes the heat here.
Whiffing on Ja Morant is Still Going to Sting
Yes, Morant is a polarizing talent with off court distractions. Plus he revealed he wanted no part of Sacramento.
Still, Perry and the Kings could've convinced him harder to come over.
Especially considering Morant would've teamed with DeRozan and Russell Westbrook in forming a three-headed all-star trio despite the record. And Morant would've gotten either Sabonis or rising big man Maxime Raynaud down low too.
This is another big loss for Sacramento.
Keon Ellis was More Tradeable All Along
It was originally presented that Monk, not Ellis, was more coveted.
Monk likely commanded a decent market. But Ellis became the most wanted member of the Kings amid multiple reports.
Still, this now means Doug Christie needs to do his part and ensure Monk will earn consistent lengthy minutes moving forward -- now that Ellis and Schroeder are gone.
This also likely means Monk must split with newcomer De'Andre Hunter in leading the bench charge. But again, Perry and the Kings fail to find a suitor for Monk...leading to the final big loss here as the trade deadline has closed.
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