New NBA Trade Rumors on Domantas Sabonis Talks With Hornets, Timeline for Potential Deal

The Charlotte Hornets have reportedly engaged in trade talks recently with the Sacramento Kings regarding three-time All-Star center Domantas Sabonis.

According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, a deal between the two sides is not imminent and is unlikely to happen prior to the 2026 NBA draft on June 23 due to a disagreement on compensation.

The Kings reportedly want at least one of the Hornets' two first-round picks at Nos. 14 and 18 overall, but Charlotte prefers to keep the picks and revisit the Sabonis trade talks later in the offseason.

Last week, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported that NBA executives expected the Kings to place Sabonis on the trade block.

Fischer added that Sabonis' salary is playing a role in the Kings' desire to potentially move on from him, writing, "Sacramento is known to be looking to shed some significant salary if it can this offseason and seems likely to field more interest in Sabonis than other veterans."

The 30-year-old Sabonis has two years remaining on his contract at a salary of $45.472 million next season and $48.608 million in 2027-28, per Spotrac.

A 10-year NBA veteran with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Indiana Pacers and Kings, Sabonis boasts career averages of 16.1 points, 10.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game.

In addition to his three All-Star nods, Sabonis was an All-NBA Third Team selection in both 2023 and 2024 while with the Kings, and he finished in the top eight of NBA MVP voting in each of those campaigns as well.

After averaging at least 19 points, 12 rebounds and six assists per game for three consecutive seasons, Sabonis' production dipped last season to the tune of 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists per contest.

Health likely had plenty to do with that, as knee surgery cut his season short after just 19 games.

When healthy, Sabonis is still one of the best bigs in the game, and he would potentially be a great fit with a Hornets team on the rise.

Although their playoff drought was extended to 10 consecutive seasons, the Hornets went 44-38 this season, marking their first winning campaign since the 2021-22 season.

With NBA Rookie of the Year runner-up Kon Knueppel, LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges in line to return next season, Sabonis would fill a huge hole at center and round out a starting lineup that could sneakily be among the best in the NBA.