The Sacramento Kings are 6-21. They just dropped the front end of a home-and-home with the Portland Trail Blazers after staging an epic fourth-quarter run, only to lose on free throws in overtime. And they’re not getting their three-time All-Star center back for at least another month or so.
The Kings announced Friday that Domantas Sabonis, who suffered a partially torn meniscus in his left knee last month and was initially expected to return to the court after three to four weeks, will miss an additional four to five weeks because of the injury.
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Sabonis will be re-evaluated in the new year based on his rehab progress.
At the time of his official diagnosis, the Kings were 3-12. Since, they’ve won just three more games. They have the look of a seller ahead of the trade deadline, meaning stars like Sabonis, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan could be on the move sooner than later. Other Kings players are trade candidates, too.
As for Sabonis, the 29-year-old commands quite a bit of value, however, but his prospects on the market could be affected by his current injury situation, as suitors won’t have access to his services immediately.
Plus, his knee issue isn’t the only injury he’s dealt with in this young season, the 10th of his career. The 2016 No. 11 overall pick was sidelined for the Kings’ season opener due to a hamstring strain he picked up during the preseason. Then he was out two games early last month with a rib injury.
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Additionally, prospective teams might not be eager to take on a contract that owes him $42.3 million this season and then a total of $94 million over the next two seasons.
Sabonis is averaging 17.2 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 11 games this season. The Gonzaga product is shooting 51% from the field but a mere 20% from long range. Both of those marks are below his career averages, with his 3-point clip slumping significantly.
While he still possesses an intriguing offensive skill set, one that aids ball movement, and top-notch rebounding ability, his availability has been a concern for a Kings team that’s cluttered with aging playmakers that don’t seem to fit together.
A roster that includes Sabonis, DeRozan, LaVine, Russell Westbrook and Dennis Schröder is responsible for the third-worst offensive rating and fourth-worst defensive rating in the NBA.
