Kings to Part Ways with Sabonis? Uncertain Future in Sacramento
**Core answer**: Sacramento Kings không có ý định gia hạn hợp đồng với Domantas Sabonis, và anh là ứng cử viên sáng giá để được trao đổi, theo Brian Windhorst (ESPN). **Key facts**: - Sabonis còn 2 năm hợp đồng với mức lương hơn 40 triệu USD/năm. - Mùa trước anh ghi trung bình 15,8 điểm, thấp nhất kể từ 2018-19. - Kings đã chọn Darius Acuff ở vị trí thứ 7 Draft 2026. **Source attribution**: ESPN (Brian Windhorst), ngày 13/8/2026 | Cross-checked: VuaBong.vn. **Related Q&A**: Q: Sabonis sẽ gia nhập đội nào? A: Các đội như Miami Heat, Boston Celtics có thể quan tâm, nhưng chưa có thông tin chính thức. Q: Kings có đang tái thiết? A: Đúng vậy, họ đang xây dựng lại với Acuff là trung tâm, và việc thanh lý Sabonis là bước đầu tiên.
The Sacramento Kings appear to be planning a complete overhaul of their project. After years of uncertainty, following the departure of DeMar DeRozan and the arrival of Darius Acuff in the 2026 Draft, Domantas Sabonis is now their target.
According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the Sacramento Kings have no intention of extending the contract of Lithuanian center Sabonis. Sabonis, who will earn more than $40 million annually over the next two seasons, ends his contract in the summer of 2028. Windhorst added that he is a strong candidate to be traded.
Sabonis has been in Sacramento for over four seasons, after being included mid-season in 2026-22 in the trade that sent Tyrese Haliburton to the Indiana Pacers. The Lithuanian center comes off a season averaging 15.8 points per game, his lowest since the 2026-19 season (14.1).
At 30 years old, Sabonis does not seem to be a key piece in the Kings' future, a team seeking young talent, led by Darius Acuff, the seventh overall pick in the last draft.
Context – Market and tactical background
The Kings' selection of Acuff at No. 7 in the 2026 Draft is a strong statement about their new direction. Acuff, a 19-year-old point guard from Arkansas, is highly regarded for his playmaking and speed. The Kings expect him to become the core of the next generation. But to do that, the team needs to clear salary cap space and create room for development. Sabonis, with his $40 million salary, is the biggest obstacle.
Moreover, Sabonis' style – a traditional big man who excels in rebounding and pick-and-roll – no longer fits the modern trend requiring floor spacing and versatile defense. Although Sabonis remains one of the league's most complete centers, the Kings have seen his limitations against high-tempo offenses. In the 2026 playoffs, the Kings were eliminated by the Golden State Warriors in the first round, partly due to Sabonis' perimeter defense.
Core – Trade logic and the parties' game
So what will the Kings get in return if they trade Sabonis? First, they need future assets: draft picks, young players, or expiring contracts to free up cap space. A rebuilding team like the Kings will not seek established stars, but pieces that can grow with Acuff.
Several teams might be interested in Sabonis: Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks? The Heat need a center who can pass and rebound, but they lack attractive trade assets. The Celtics already have Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford, but Horford's age is a concern. The Knicks, with Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle, may not need Sabonis. However, if a team is going all-in for a championship in the next 1-2 years, Sabonis is a quality offensive option.
For Sabonis, being traded could be an opportunity. He would go to a team with immediate ambitions, where his skills can be maximized. But there is also risk: if Sabonis is no longer the system's centerpiece, his value may decline, affecting his next contract.
Contrarian – Counter-intuitive perspective
There is a blind spot in this story: do the Kings really need to rush to part with Sabonis? They just lost DeRozan, have Acuff, but the current roster could still compete for a playoff spot if they keep Sabonis. With a young star like Acuff, having an experienced center to support him could accelerate his development. But the Kings choose a different path: they want to clean house completely and rebuild from scratch.
This raises questions about the Kings' long-term strategy. Will they have enough patience to wait for Acuff to mature? Or will they repeat past mistakes, trading young potential for aging stars? The story of Haliburton – who became a star in Indiana – remains a stain on Kings' history.
Takeaway – The next dominoes
This summer will decide the future of Sacramento. If Sabonis is traded, the Kings will officially enter the post-Sabonis era – a risky but hopeful era. Kings fans will have to be patient as their team rebuilds from scratch, with Darius Acuff as the first brick. As for Sabonis, he will find a new home where he can prove he is still one of the NBA's elite centers. The trade market will be hotter than ever, and I will follow every move they make.