Sources: Kings have not engaged Pacers in trade talks for Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner
Kings general manager Monte McNair is looking to make a big move to improve his team’s playoff chances with the unofficial start of trade season set to begin Wednesday.
Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner have become the subject of renewed trade speculation in Sacramento over the past week amid reports that the Indiana Pacers are willing to entertain offers for their star big men. The Kings have been rumored as a potential suitor for both players in the past, but they don’t appear to be interested now.
League sources told The Sacramento Bee the Kings have not engaged the Pacers in talks for Sabonis or Turner since last week when The Athletic reported Indiana is open to discussions. The website reported the Pacers are receptive to trade talks for guard Caris LeVert and either Sabonis or Turner as they move toward a rebuild, but the Kings have not shown interest in either of Indiana’s big men, sources told The Bee.
Sabonis, 25, is a 6-foot-11, 240-pound power forward/center who was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday. The two-time All-Star is averaging 18.2 points, 11.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists in his sixth NBA season. Sabonis would add scoring, rebounding and playmaking while bringing balance to Sacramento’s roster, but he is a 31% 3-point shooter and is not considered a strong defender.
Turner, 25, is a 6-11, 250-pound center. He is averaging 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and a league-high 2.7 blocked shots. He doesn’t rebound at the same rate as Sabonis, but he is an elite rim protector who also spaces the floor as a 39.8% 3-point shooter.
Trade talks are heating up around the league this week as a key date on the NBA calendar approaches. A majority of players who signed new contracts over the summer will be eligible to be traded beginning Wednesday, increasing the pool of trade-eligible players from 65% to 84%, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
One source said the Kings are still shopping a package including Buddy Hield and Marvin Bagley III in hopes of getting a good player in return. Sources told The Bee over the summer the Kings had expressed interest in the Philadelphia 76ers’ Ben Simmons and Toronto Raptors’ Pascal Siakam. The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Monday the Kings, Pacers, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers and Cleveland Cavaliers are among the teams interested in acquiring Simmons now, but “it’s unclear how much traction Philadelphia truly has on any move.”
Simmons, 25, is a three-time All-Star and two-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection who has yet to suit up for the 76ers this season while he awaits a trade. The 76ers are reportedly ramping up efforts to construct multi-team trade scenarios in hopes of reaching a deal.
This story was originally published December 13, 2021 at 12:46 PM.
