If the Sacramento Kings want to really move things forward, they need to unburden themselves of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and/or Domantas Sabonis. It will be a difficult process, to say the least. So, if the Kings end up having to make the call on who they keep, the obvious choice is Sabonis.
When it comes to the salary cap, the Kings are in terrible shape. As it stands right now, Sacramento is projected to have a payroll exceeding $255 million next season. That puts them $90 million over the salary cap and well into the second apron of penalties from the league. It's a bad scene.
These numbers do not include any players who are about to become free agents. It also assumes that LaVine will take his player option and remain with the team. His salary added to Sabonis and DeRozan are worth over $100 million, meaning that trades and buyouts are likely coming.
Without significant cuts to the payroll, it will be all but impossible for the Kings to sign free agents they want to keep like Russell Westbrook and Precious Achiuwa. Picking up any new free agents would still be out of the question. That being said, moving all three players seems unlikely.
Keeping Sabonis is the least objectionable option...for now
If the Kings can't trade DeRozan, buying him out is a no-brainer. His contract only has a guaranteed salary of $10 million, meaning he should be easy to move. At his current price, LaVine will be much more difficult to trade. As such, Sacramento may have to suck it up and buy him out, too.
Then there's Keegan Murray and De'Andre Hunter. Combined, they're worth about $44 million next season. Losing one of them, likely Hunter, would give the Kings some breathing room. That just leaves Sabonis, who has nearly $100 million and two-years left on his massive contract.
Trading him will be difficult and buying him out is out of the question. If the Kings have to keep any of these guys, Sabonis is the best option from a logistical perspective. From a playing perspective, he could also be the best fit for what the Kings are currently trying to do.
If given a chance, Sabonis could really find a flow with younger players like the Beam Boys. His scoring and rebounding would be helpful, but his faciliating from the paint could really help a lob threat like Dylan Cardwell. The point is that Sabonis hanging around isn't all bad for the Kings.
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