The vibe around Golden 1 Center is, honestly, a little weird right now. Just a few days ago, the Sacramento Kings managed to humble the Los Angeles Lakers in a 124-112 win despite Luka Doncic putting up 42. You’d think a win like that would calm the waters, but if you’ve been following the NBA rumors Sacramento Kings fans are obsessing over, you know the front office is basically at a crossroads.
Monte McNair and the new GM Scott Perry have a massive headache on their hands. This team is loaded with veterans like DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Domantas Sabonis, yet they feel miles away from being a true threat in the West. It’s that awkward middle ground where you aren't bad enough for a top-three pick but you aren't good enough to scare the Thunder or the Nuggets.
The Jonathan Kuminga Obsession
Everyone is talking about Jonathan Kuminga. Seriously, it’s become the "white whale" of Sacramento trade chatter. Reports from insiders like Anthony Slater and Jake Fischer suggest the Kings have been hovering around Kuminga since last summer, and the interest hasn't cooled one bit.
Here is the snag: The Warriors aren't just going to hand him over for pennies. They want assets that help them win now, or at least high-level draft capital. Sacramento, meanwhile, is reportedly "reluctant" to cough up first-round picks or take on long-term money.
- The Malik Monk Problem: There was a lot of talk about a Monk-for-Kuminga swap, but the Warriors aren't interested in taking on Monk’s salary, especially with his player option for the 2026-27 season looming.
- The Third Team Necessity: Because the salaries don't match up cleanly and neither side wants to budge on the "extras," we are likely looking at a three-team deal.
- The Deadline: Kuminga becomes eligible to be moved on January 15th. Mark your calendars.
If the Kings actually pull this off, they get a 23-year-old with massive defensive upside who fits the De'Aaron Fox timeline. But if they lose Keegan Murray in the process? That's a tough pill to swallow for a fan base that finally saw a homegrown star develop.
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Is Domantas Sabonis Actually on the Block?
This is the one that hurts. Sabonis is a double-double machine, a walking triple-double threat on any given night. But with the Kings regressing, the mock trades are starting to get aggressive.
One rumor gaining steam is a potential deal with the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons are surprisingly good this year (28-10 as of mid-January 2026) and they need a veteran big who can facilitate. A package involving Isaiah Stewart and draft picks has been floated by some outlets.
It sounds crazy to trade an All-Star center, but look at the cap. Sabonis is making $42.3 million this year. If the Kings decide to blow it up and build around Fox (who is looking at a massive supermax extension soon), moving Sabonis for a haul of picks and young talent like Stewart or even a future first from Detroit might be the "reset" button the front office is quietly considering.
The Zach LaVine and Dennis Schroder Drama
Let’s be real: The Zach LaVine experiment hasn't been the home run everyone hoped for. He’s still scoring, sure, but that $47.5 million cap hit is a literal anchor. The Milwaukee Bucks have reportedly sniffed around a LaVine trade, but Sacramento doesn't want to take back long-term money. They want expiring contracts.
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Then there’s Dennis Schroder. He’s been a solid addition on the court, but that three-game suspension for trying to strike Luka Doncic in the tunnel at Crypto.com Arena didn't do him any favors. It’s a distraction a struggling team doesn't need.
Schroder is exactly the kind of gritty, expiring vet a contender like the Suns or Timberwolves would overpay for at the deadline. If the Kings can flip him for a second-round pick and a young wing, they’ll do it in a heartbeat.
Why the Lakers Want Keon Ellis
The Lakers are desperate. LeBron is in year 23 (insane, I know), and they need perimeter defense. Keon Ellis is the name they keep coming back to. He’s on a tiny $2.3 million expiring deal and hits over 40% of his threes.
Sacramento knows his value. They’ve reportedly set the price at a first-round pick. The Lakers are hesitant to give up their lone tradable first, but if the Kings throw in someone like Malik Monk or Devin Carter to help the Lakers' depth, a "no-brainer" blockbuster could happen before February 5th.
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What Actually Happens Next?
The Kings are playing a dangerous game of chicken with the rest of the league. They want to get younger and more athletic (Kuminga), but they don't want to sacrifice their future draft picks.
Actionable Insights for the Trade Deadline:
- Watch the January 15th window: This is when Kuminga's trade restriction lifts. If a deal is going to happen, the framework will likely leak within 48 hours of that date.
- Monitor the "Seller" Pivot: If the Kings drop three or four games in a row late in January, expect them to officially shop Sabonis and DeRozan to the highest bidder.
- The Second Apron Factor: The new CBA makes it almost impossible to trade for guys like LaVine unless you're sending out equal salary. This favors three-team trades involving "facilitator" teams like the Utah Jazz or San Antonio Spurs.
The reality? The Kings' current roster is a collection of high-priced talent that hasn't gelled into a top-four seed. Whether it's Kuminga coming in or Sabonis going out, the NBA rumors Sacramento Kings fans are hearing aren't just smoke—there’s a fire burning in the front office, and it's only going to get hotter as we approach February.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for "general soreness" or "personal reasons" over the next two weeks. In the NBA, that's usually code for "pack your bags, you're being traded."
Next Steps:
- Check the official NBA injury report every afternoon to see if any key Kings players are late scratches.
- Follow Jake Fischer and Anthony Slater on social media for real-time updates on the Kuminga/Warriors negotiations.
- Review the Kings' upcoming schedule against Eastern Conference teams (like Detroit or Milwaukee), as these games often serve as "scouting" opportunities for opposing front offices.