Domantas Sabonis is unhappy in Sacramento and wants to leave the Kings, Tim MacMahon said on The Hoop Collective podcast with Brian Windhorst. MacMahon also said the team would move the center if it could find a deal, as Sacramento has opened the 2026-27 season with a 0-6 record.
“Quite frankly, Sabonis wants out of there, and if they can move him, they would,” MacMahon said. “So he’s not happy. It’s a bad situation.”
Windhorst raised the contrast between rookie Darius Acuff Jr.’s 25 shot attempts and Sabonis’ five in Sacramento’s latest game against the Memphis Grizzlies. He stressed that he had not watched the game or spoken to anyone about it, so the exchange did not establish that the shot distribution was a factor in Sabonis’ reported desire to leave.
Sabonis is averaging 16.0 points, 15.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists in 37 minutes per game through six appearances. He is shooting 70.4% from the field, but the Kings have yet to win a game.
The situation adds to previous reporting about Sacramento’s plans for its roster. Sean Deveney of Heavy.com reported that the Kings do not intend to keep Sabonis and are expected to trade him, either before the February trade deadline or during the 2027 offseason. Deveney added that securing a first-round pick in return would represent a significant achievement for Sacramento.
The Kings are also carrying Zach LaVine’s $48.97 million expiring contract, giving the franchise another major trade asset. Sabonis is earning $45.47 million in 2026-27 and has two seasons remaining on his four-year, $186 million contract, including a $48.61 million salary for 2027-28.
Deveney reported that Sabonis could remain with Sacramento until next summer if the team does not receive an acceptable offer before the deadline. The center will be eligible for an extension in 2027-28.
Acuff’s growing role is another factor in the situation. The rookie is averaging 26.3 points and 6.3 assists in 36.5 minutes per game, although he is shooting 39.6% from the field and 32.2% from three-point range.
Sacramento’s 0-6 start has intensified attention on the roster, while MacMahon’s comments indicate that both Sabonis and the organization are open to a separation. A trade could happen before the February deadline or be postponed until the 2027 offseason.
