Raptors Insider Has 'Never Heard' Domantas Sabonis Linked as Trade Target amid Rumors
Amid rumors that they want to make a splash this coming offseason, the Toronto Raptors are reportedly not expected to pursue Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis.
Speaking Monday on Sactown Sports 1140 (h/t HoopsHype.com), Doug Smith of the Toronto Star shot down the idea that the Raptors are in the market for Sabonis.
Smith said he has "never heard [Sabonis'] name in a conversation with anybody involved with the Raptors for a year and a half," adding that the Raptors are "pretty happy" with Jakob Poeltl at center.
Smith also said that nobody he has spoken with in the Raptors front office has ever mentioned Sabonis "as a guy that they would like to pursue."
Coming off three straight seasons without a playoff appearance, ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst (h/t SI.com's Logan Struck) recently reported that the Raptors are "starting to make noise within the league about looking for a big fish" via trade or free agency.
Despite their reported lack of interest, Sabonis would fit the bill, as the 29-year-old big man is a three-time All-Star who has won the NBA rebounding title in each of the past three seasons.
After stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers, Sabonis was traded to the Kings during the 2021-22 season.
In 2022-23, Sabonis helped the Kings end a 16-year playoff drought, and it was widely believed that it was the start of something special in Sacramento.
However, the Kings failed to make it out of the play-in tournament each of the past two years, and they traded their other star, guard De'Aaron Fox, to the San Antonio Spurs ahead of the 2025 deadline.
Sabonis was an All-NBA Third Team selection in both 2023 and 2024, finishing seventh and eighth, respectively, in the MVP voting.
Although he wasn't named an All-Star and didn't receive any accolades this season, Sabonis put up impressive numbers as usual, averaging 19.1 points, 13.9 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game, while shooting 59.0 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from beyond the arc.
Sabonis would be a big-time addition for any team, including the Raptors, as Sabonis and Scottie Barnes could make for one of the most versatile duos in the NBA.
It doesn't sound as though the Raptors are interested in making that happen, but Sabonis could be on the move regardless, as The Athletic's Sam Amick and Anthony Slater reported in April that Sabonis was "expected to seek clarity about the [Kings'] plan in the offseason."
If Sabonis is not satisfied with the direction the Kings are heading in, a trade request could potentially be in the cards.
