Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

Mar 5, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie in the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images Domantas Sabonis

NBA Insider Suggests Major Changes Are Coming for the Kings

The 2024-25 NBA season has been a strange one for the Sacramento Kings. They fired head coach Mike Brown, traded De’Aaron Fox, and acquired Zach LaVine and Jonas Valanciunas. Still, despite all the roster turnover, the Kings are currently 32-29 and own the No. 9 seed in the West. After missing the playoffs last year, the Kings may have a chance to flip the script this season. Much of their success has to do with Domantas Sabonis, who has played well for the Kings since they acquired him from the Indiana Pacers in 2022. However, despite this, Sabonis’ status in Sacramento may be worth monitoring.

According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Anthony Slater, Sabonis will likely “seek clarity” about the Kings’ offseason plans (subscription required). Furthermore, they mentioned that the Kings “could be headed toward chaos,” according to a league source.

League sources said Sabonis, who has three more seasons and a combined $140.3 million left on his current deal, is expected to seek clarity about the organization’s plan in the offseason. Just as Fox wanted to know whose voice mattered most on key decisions, and who the team’s owner might be trusting the most as counsel, Sabonis is known to have similar questions. Even with the recent success, league sources said several members of the team’s core are watching and wondering where this is all headed. “What is the vision here?” one league source close to a core Kings player said. “It feels like it could be headed toward chaos.”

NBA Insider Suggests Major Changes Are Coming for the Kings

Could Domantas Sabonis Be On His Way Out From the Sacramento Kings?

Sabonis is certainly worth keeping an eye on in the offseason. This is especially true if the Kings fail to make the playoffs once again.

Recently, Fox opened up about his departure from Sacramento. In doing so, he said that the Kings organization “didn’t have my back.”

“Fox, who says he still talks to Brown every week, even had to dispel rumors about tension with his former coach among the Spurs’ staffers upon arriving in San Antonio. What bothered Fox most is that although Sacramento released a statement addressing Brown’s firing, the organization didn’t discuss the move publicly with reporters until 40 days later, after the guard had already been traded. “You fire the coach, and you don’t do an interview?” Fox said. ‘So, all the blame was on me. Did it weigh on me? No. I don’t give a f—. But the fact y’all are supposed to be protecting your player and y’all let that happen. … I felt at the time the organization didn’t have my back.’”

It seems that there is some disconnect between the Kings organization and its players. As it stands, it is unclear if Sabonis feels the same way. However, if the latest report is true, it does not bode well for his future in Sacramento.

The Last Word

Currently, there are few reasons to believe the Kings will trade Sabonis in the offseason. However, it is something to keep tabs on. If it gets to the point where he is unhappy about the team’s outlook, a trade may be his best option. Regardless, the current season is not over just yet. With a month remaining, the Kings will look to end the season on a high note and make another postseason appearance.

© Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

About Elie Deglaoui

Elie is a sports journalist who specializes in covering NBA News and Rumors and the Boston Celtics. He is the site expert for FanSided's 8Points9Seconds site and also writes for Athlon Spots.