New reports have emerged involving the future of the Sacramento big man, including on if he'll stay an extra year after this season.
The Sacramento Kings shutting down Domantas Sabonis for the rest of the season signaled the end for the post presence's time with the franchise.
Or will he have an extended stay?
NBA insider Marc Stein dropped some new intel Tuesday morning regarding his future. It still remains nebulous for the time being.
"It is not seen as a certainty, according to one source briefed on the process, that the Kings will try again in the offseason to trade Domantas Sabonis after fielding in-season trade offers for the former All-Star big man," Stein wrote.
However, Stein mentioned "scenarios" that could prevent a trade deal from happening.
"There are scenarios, I'm told, that would steer Sacramento toward keeping Sabonis — who has two seasons left on his contract after this one — that depend on how the Kings fare in May's draft lottery and whom they are able to select in a draft headlined by Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer," Stein wrote.
That said...the spot where the Kings will draft can likely dictate what happens to Sabonis.
Sacramento landing inside the top three will raise the chances of one of the aforementioned draft prospects landing with the Kings. Dybantsa continues to hear chatter as the projected top pick of the 2026 NBA Draft should he leave after his freshman season.
Duke's Boozer, however, elevated his draft stock further Saturday. Boozer dropped 18 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished seven assists in taking down No. 1 Michigan. The son of multiple NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer ignited new thoughts about the top pick of the draft -- with the belief the Kings should look into the Blue Devils star more.
The Toronto Raptors became linked as a possible destination, which likely would've included RJ Barrett arriving to Sacramento in this proposal. Talks between both franchises, however, fell off and Sabonis remained with the Kings.
There's still the theory that both teams will reconnect around NBA Draft week -- as teams can reignite trade talks. But per Stein, now it depends on if the Kings don't land inside the top three picks.
Sacramento remains the heavy favorite to land the top pick. This despite ending its long 16-game losing streak on Monday against Memphis. However, the draft lottery doesn't guarantee the first selection heading over to the league's worst team.
The Dallas Mavericks landed the top spot even with their 39-43 mark -- landing Cooper Flagg in the process.
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