Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis is looking more and more likely to stay put as the NBA offseason rolls on, and Jerry Reynolds recently joined Sactown Sports’ The Drive Guys to offer his perspective on what lies ahead for the veteran big man.
The Kings have been evaluating potential upgrades in the frontcourt, with Detroit Pistons All-Star Jalen Duren surfacing as one of the names Sacramento has reportedly had its eye on.
But Detroit has made it clear they have no interest in dealing Sabonis as part of any return package, nor are they open to discussing sign-and-trade arrangements involving Duren, whom they’ve firmly established as a foundational piece of their organization.
That reality became even clearer once Duren qualified for a five-year, $287.1 million extension on the heels of his All-NBA Third Team selection.
The 23-year-old put up 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game last season while shooting 65 percent from the floor, cementing his status in Detroit’s long-range planning.
At the same time, other possible destinations for Sabonis have gradually fallen away.
Charlotte reshaped its frontcourt by bringing in Naz Reid as part of the LaMelo Ball trade, while Toronto pivoted elsewhere by acquiring Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers.
Add in the Lakers’ massive move to land Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz, and the landscape for veteran bigs has clearly undergone a significant transformation.
Even so, Kings legend Jerry Reynolds admitted he’s somewhat taken aback that Sabonis hasn’t drawn more widespread interest from around the league.
“A little bit,” Reynolds said on The Drive Guys. “He’s a center that really can pass the ball well, rebounds at as good a clip as any player in the league for the last six years.”
More on Domantas Sabonis
Sabonis has unquestionably delivered elite production during his time in Sacramento.
Across 250 games over the last four seasons, the three-time All-Star has averaged 19.0 points, 13.1 rebounds and 7.0 assists, while shooting just under 60 percent from the field and 38 percent from three-point range.
The 30-year-old also has roughly $94 million remaining on his contract over the next two years.
Still, Reynolds acknowledged why opposing front offices might be cautious about pursuing him.
“There needs to be a fit for him,” Reynolds explained. “I certainly can see teams where I think he’d be a good fit. Charlotte comes to mind. I think he’d definitely be a nice fit there. I think he’d be awfully good there because they’re not gonna guard anybody anyway, so they’re just gonna go score, and I think with him, they go score more.”
Sabonis’ distinctive offensive abilities have long made him the focal point of Sacramento’s attack, but not every roster is structured to take full advantage of his playmaking strengths.
As a result, even as the Kings continue weighing how to strengthen their roster, Domantas Sabonis appears increasingly likely to remain in Sacramento heading into the 2026-27 season—unless an unforeseen trade scenario opens up elsewhere.
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