Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis is due to miss four-to-five weeks of game action due to a partially torn meniscus in his left knee. The report was provided on Dec. 19, meaning a potential return could potentially transpire around Jan. 23.
With the Kings spiraling toward a lost season and the Feb. 5 trade deadline not far off from Sabonis' projected return date, however, it's possible that he could've played his final game for the team.
Sabonis has played a definitive role in the franchise experiencing its greatest success since the Rick Adelman era. He helped Sacramento end a 17-year postseason drought and secure its highest win total in 18 seasons, and continues to keep the team relevant when healthy.
Unfortunately, the Kings' bold offseason strategy to go all-in on perimeter scorers has failed to produce the type of team success an All-NBA player in their prime is likely aiming for.
With this in mind, it's fair to believe Sabonis will be on the trading block as the Feb. 5 deadline nears. Not only is he the Kings' most valuable trade asset, but he has the ability to help a team improve to the point of securing its place in the playoffs or perhaps even contending.
Unfortunately, Sabonis' timetable for a return is too close to the trade deadline to ignore the possibility that he could be moved either before he can return or shortly thereafter.
Domantas Sabonis out until just two weeks before trade deadline
Sacramento is currently 7-22 with just two wins since Thanksgiving. Injuries have certainly played a part in the Kings' shortcomings, as interior anchors Keegan Murray and Sabonis have each missed at least 15 games during the 2025-26 regular season.
The flaw in the design of Sacramento's roster, however, borders on impossible to overlook as the team has effectively prioritized offensive talent above all else.
DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Sabonis are all productive players with accolades, but none are particularly revered for their defense. Malik Monk, Dennis Schröder, and Russell Westbrook offer production out of the backcourt, but they can be described in a similar manner.
The unfortunate result of the Kings' maligned strategy has been ranking No. 27 in defensive rating and being outscored by a stomach-turning 10.0 points per 100 possessions.
Sabonis is by no means the player at fault, but he's 29 years of age and seemingly lost at sea with a sinking ship. Every one of DeRozan, LaVine, Monk, and Schröder are in line to be back with the Kings next season on their current contracts, meaning change will likely only arrive via trade.
Perhaps the Kings will prioritize trading one of the other players on the roster, but Sabonis would undoubtedly net the largest return in a potential deal.
Sabonis is a two-time All-NBA honoree in his prime who has consistently proven capable of positively influencing team success. Meanwhile, DeRozan is 36 years of age, LaVine has a lucrative player option teams may be reluctant to take on, and neither Monk nor Schröder are All-NBA level players.
It was reported that Sabonis is willing to remain patient with the Kings, but with another injury absence upon him and the deadline looming, his time with the franchise may have already ended.