Report: Hornets showing interest in Kings center Domantas Sabonis

Trade speculation surrounding Kings center Domantas Sabonis isn’t going away.

According to Sam Amick of The Athletic (via Hoops Rumors’ Luke Adams), the Hornets and Kings have recently discussed Sabonis, though no deal appears imminent.

Amick reported that Charlotte has shown interest in the three-time All-Star, but the two sides remain apart on potential trade compensation. Per Amick, Sacramento would like to acquire one of Charlotte’s first-round picks in this month’s draft, while the Hornets would prefer to keep picks Nos. 14 and 18 and revisit discussions later in the offseason.

Sabonis, 30, was limited to just 19 games this past season because of a knee injury that eventually required surgery. Before that, he had established himself as one of the NBA’s most productive big men, earning three consecutive All-Star selections and leading the league in rebounding from 2023-25.

Adams also noted that Sabonis has surfaced in trade rumors before. The Raptors were frequently linked to the veteran center before the 2026 trade deadline, though no deal materialized.

Meanwhile, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that the Hornets and Kings discussed a framework that would have sent Miles Bridges, Josh Green and a first-round pick to Sacramento in exchange for Sabonis. However, according to Scotto, Charlotte has been reluctant to include either of its 2026 first-round selections in a package.

Scotto added that the Hornets are exploring the possibility of upgrading at center despite receiving solid production from youngsters Moussa Diabate and Ryan Kalkbrenner.

Any deal involving Sabonis would be complicated financially. He is set to earn $45.5 million next season, meaning Charlotte would need to send significant salary back to Sacramento. Bridges, Green and Grant Williams are among the contracts that could help make the numbers work.

Whether talks gain traction remains to be seen. But as Amick, Scotto and Adams all detailed, the Hornets appear to be one of the teams worth watching if Sacramento ultimately decides to move Sabonis this summer.