The Sacramento Kings and Brooklyn Nets engaged in preliminary talks surrounding former NBA All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis. Sabonis could be the final piece to solidify this rebuilt Nets' roster.
Heading into the upcoming season, the Brooklyn Nets are exacting a lot of faith in sixth-year big man Day'Ron Sharpe to look comfortable in his first time being a full-time starter.
In the offseason, the Nets traded longtime starting center Nic Claxton ahead of the draft to acquire Julius Randle from the Minnesota Timberwolves, thrusting Sharpe up the depth chart.
While Sharpe is coming off of an effective season off the bench for Brooklyn, it remains to be seen how he will fare in an expanded role.
On Tuesday, NBA reporter Evan Sidery noted that the Nets were one team involved in preliminary talks with the Sacramento Kings regarding Domantas Sabonis.
Sabonis has been floated as a potential trade target since last season, as the Kings are looking to get younger and cheaper on the books.
While these talks were more of a survey to see what Sabonis is currently worth on the open market, the Nets have prepared to take on a hefty contract this offseason through cap space clearing moves.
Sabonis is set to make over $48 million this upcoming season, but missed most of last year due to injury.
In the 19 games he appeared in, Sabonis averaged 15.8 points and 11.4 rebounds per game, but shot his lowest percentage from the field and 3-point range during his Kings tenure.
Nevertheless, Sabonis is a three-time NBA All-Star who has led the league in rebounding in the past.
His offensive abilities would compliment the young, guard duo of Mikel Brown Jr. and Egor Dëmin, giving them a trusty roller in two-man action.
This injury should also be an anomaly, as Sabonis has played in 60 or more games each of his previous nine seasons before the torn meniscus.
Like the wing pair of Randle and Michael Porter Jr., Sabonis can score from all three levels, possessing a consistent mid-range jumper and strong finishing on the inside.
For a Nets team who is looking to exceed the low expectations placed upon them heading into the upcoming season, Sabonis could be the final piece to do so.
While his contract is certainly lucrative, it is an expiring deal, giving the Nets options in free agency next season.
The prospect of Sabonis playing two-man action alongside Brown and Dëmin is exciting, as the talented offensive big would help both players grow and give them a proven commodity at the center position.
