The Sacramento Kings recently welcomed back their valuable rebounder and post presence. But did his lengthy time away amid an injury lower his trade value? Or stay the same?
Domantas Sabonis returned with relentless energy following a partial meniscus tear in his knee.
But did this throw out a potential trade involving the Sacramento Kings?
The Sabonis trade chatter earned a new update on Thursday via Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. Turns out a recent Kings opponent is linked to Sabonis: The Toronto Raptors.
Furthermore, Fischer points out the Raptors appear to be out on one star performer.
“Sources say that Raptors personnel are also messaging that Toronto isn’t actively pursuing Memphis' Ja Morant, either, even though the Grizzlies continue to welcome inquiries for Morant,” Fischer revealed. “But I have been told by various NBA figures that the Raptors are still intrigued by the prospect of pursuing Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis."
Meanwhile, Josue Pavon of ClutchPoints writes how "Toronto is expected to be relentless at the trade deadline, and will reportedly settle for alternative bigs such as Sabonis."
It looks like a Sabonis move isn't out of the woods just yet. Even ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel adds how the Raptors are seeking a veteran big ahead of the league's trade deadline.
"Eastern Conference rival front-office personnel continue to point to the Toronto Raptors as a team ready to strike. Domantas Sabonis and Anthony Davis have both been big names linked to Toronto, yet the Raptors are still lurking and seeing what aggressive moves will present themselves before the trade deadline,” Siegel reported.
There's a third option linked to Toronto too.
"The Raptors are another team that has spoken with the Pelicans regarding Trey Murphy III and other players on their roster, so don't count out this organization finding a big upgrade this season," Siegel added. "But no matter what, the Raptors seem set on dipping below the tax and adding another frontcourt talent amid Jakob Poeltl's lingering back problems.”
Sabonis is one of multiple Kings players hearing trade chatter across the league.
Malik Monk is another who could be moved. Monk has boosted his own stock in the trade market with providing a hot hand off the bench on the scoring end.
Fellow veteran DeMar DeRozan is one more hearing trade talk -- who is now linked to the Philadelphia 76ers ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline.
The Kings have big decisions to make with their roster before Super Bowl Sunday and the league's All-Star weekend. Signs point to a roster blowup -- with Sabonis still possibly heading east.
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