Charlotte the Frontrunner to Land Domantas Sabonis
Toronto has cooled off as suitor, leaving Charlotte as the likeliest destination for Sabonis after Sacramento withheld a contract extension.
Domantas Sabonis' likeliest destination this season is Charlotte, according to insider Jake Fisher, with Toronto no longer viewed as the frontrunner it was as recently as last winter.
The Sacramento centre switched agents during the current off-season after the Kings failed to offer him a contract extension. He will look to explore his options before testing free agency. Toronto had been the club most strongly linked with the Lithuanian, particularly during last winter's trade market, but that interest has cooled, by all accounts leaving Charlotte as the most realistic path forward.
Sabonis played just 19 games last season, averaging 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists, shooting 59.3% on two-point attempts and 18.5% from three.
Sacramento's stance is complicating any deal. The Kings have made clear they want a positive return on a trade rather than simply offloading his contract, and that demand has left discussions stalled for now.
Charlotte have already reshaped their backcourt this off-season: Collin Sexton, who averaged 15.4 points for the side last season, left for the Lakers. Adding a rebounder and passer of Sabonis' calibre would mark a further shift in how the roster is built.
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