{"id":98459,"date":"2024-09-30T08:59:20","date_gmt":"2024-09-30T12:59:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=98459"},"modified":"2024-09-30T09:00:01","modified_gmt":"2024-09-30T13:00:01","slug":"what-kings-domantas-sabonis-needs-comfortably-retire-in-sacramento","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/09\/30\/what-kings-domantas-sabonis-needs-comfortably-retire-in-sacramento\/","title":{"rendered":"What Kings\u2019 Heir Needs To Comfortably Retire In Sacramento"},"content":{"rendered":"

After landing a then two-time All-Star in Domantas Sabonis<\/a> ahead of the 2022 NBA Trade Deadline, the Sacramento Kings have transformed into a serious contender.<\/p>\n

With the duo of De\u2019Aaron Fox<\/a> and Tyrese Haliburton<\/a>, this may have been possible due to their skill level. However, it was an untenable situation. Both Fox and Haliburton are lead guards who need the ball in their hands. To make matters even more complicated, Haliburton was the better passer and off-ball threat, but he didn\u2019t consistently light up the scoreboard.<\/p>\n

The solution the Kings found was to send Haliburton to the Indiana Pacers, where he\u2019s had a remarkable ascent. Despite how well Haliburton has played since Sacramento sent him on his way though, they\u2019re unlikely to be kicking themselves for the decision. Fox has taken his game to the next level in every area. Sabonis is probably even better than they imagined he would be and may be the key to their offensive success.<\/p>\n

What Kings\u2019 Domantas Sabonis Needs To Comfortably Retire In Sacramento<\/h2>\n

Recently, HoopsHype insider Michael Scotto conducted an exclusive interview<\/a> with Sabonis. The Lithuanian big man answered several questions about the team. However, what stuck out the most may have been what he was asked about himself.<\/p>\n

Can he see himself retiring with the Kings?<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, of course. They\u2019ve only been nice. It\u2019s been amazing,\u201d Sabonis responds. \u201cThe fans have been awesome. As a player, you always want to build a legacy somewhere, and you can\u2019t do it if you\u2019re not in one place and doing great things for that team. Obviously, it depends on my performance and the team\u2019s performance, but that definitely would really be a cool thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Central To Sacramento\u2019s Success<\/h3>\n

Again, Sabonis has become central to the Kings\u2019 success.<\/p>\n

Since being traded by the Pacers, he\u2019s averaged 19.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game. His passes may not always be as flashy as his father\u2019s<\/a>. Nonetheless, he\u2019s been the fulcrum of the offense by virtue of his usefulness in dribble handoffs (DHOs).<\/p>\n