Kings' Zach LaVine, DeRozan, Sabonis Eyed by NBA Execs As Possible Trade Candidates
The Sacramento Kings haven't advanced past the first round of the playoffs since 2004, and they reportedly may reset this offseason by moving one of their headline players.
Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype reported Wednesday that "rival NBA executives are monitoring the trio of Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan with the belief that Sacramento will explore the possibility of trading at least one of those players either this offseason or before the trade deadline in February."
Scotto noted Sabonis is owed $136.4 million through the next three seasons, while LaVine is due $47.5 million during the upcoming season ahead of a $49 million player option for the 2026-27 campaign.
From a financial standpoint, DeRozan would be the easiest for another team to take on as he is due $24.6 million in 2025-26 with just $10 million of his 2026-27 salary guaranteed.
Still, Sabonis is the most notable of the trio, and Scotto reported other executives are "monitoring" the situation to see if he asks out to go to a team in a better position to contend.
The three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection led the league in rebounding for the third consecutive season with 13.9 per game in 2024-25. He also averaged 19.1 points and 6.0 assists a night while shooting 59 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from deep as someone who can impact the game in a number of ways.
Sabonis is a matchup nightmare for opposing frontcourts with the ability to extend his offensive attack beyond the arc all while dominating the boards. It is a surprise when he doesn't post a double-double, and he is just 29 years old.
While he would be an expensive addition for any team acquiring him via trade, he is also the type of big man who can elevate a squad's overall playoff ceiling if he is surrounded by enough talent on the wing and in the backcourt.
As for LaVine, the two-time All-Star is capable of carrying an offense for extended stretches with his perimeter shooting (44.6 percent from deep last season) and overall athleticism when taking the ball into the lane.
He has never enjoyed sustained playoff success in his career and would likely need to be a secondary option if that is ever going to happen. But there are plenty of contenders who could use a knockdown outside shooter who can drop 30 points on any given night.
DeRozan isn't the perimeter shooter that LaVine is, but he provides veteran leadership and proven clutch performances. Like LaVine, he would likely be best-suited as a No. 2 or 3 option on a true contender at this stage of his career, but his affordable contract and overall resume as a six-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA selection is surely enticing to some.
In an ideal world for the Kings, they would get some young players or draft assets back in return from any trade and accelerate a rebuild in a daunting Western Conference.
