2 Hurdles Stand in Way of Kings, Raptors, Trade for Domantas Sabonis

The Toronto Raptors have been in negotiations to land three-time All-Star and three-time rebounding king Domantas Sabonis from the Sacramento Kings. But depending on which rumor you listen to, one of two snags are holding up the trade.

The first one has to do with a draft pick issue.

The current hold up in trade discussions between the Kings and Raptors on Domantas Sabonis is draft compensation, per @ChrisBHaynes.

Toronto has offered a package around RJ Barrett and 2nd-round picks, but Sacramento wants a 1st for Sabonis.

Negotiations remain ongoing here. pic.twitter.com/FLrN00iJvc
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) February 4, 2026

Insider Chris Haynes reports that the Raptors' offer centering around RJ Barrett and 2nd-round picks falls short of the Kings' insistence on a first-rounder.

But another rumor has Toronto wanting to include injured center Jakob Poeltl in the deal, and that's a no-go for Sacramento.

Could Sacramento star Domantas Sabonis be on his way to Toronto?🤔

(via @KellyIko) pic.twitter.com/Xnsxvm9kgu
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 4, 2026

"Mutual interest still remains between the Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors in a deal surrounding big man Domantas Sabonis and the $135 million remaining on his contract," writes Kelly Iko in Yahoo Sports. "But the lack of interest in Raptors big Jakob Poeltl is a roadblock, sources said."

Poeltl signed a four-year, $104 million contract extension last July. However, a bad back has kept him to just 21 games this season, and there is currently no timeline for the 30-year-old to return.

The Raptors would need to find a third team to take on Poeltl, which would cost them more draft capital.

Michael A. Scotto of HoopsHype is reporting that the talks have paused for now, while the two sides decide on how to proceed.

A healthy Sabonis (not always the case this year, it should be noted), would be a terrific addition to the Raptors lineup, joining Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, and Immanuel Quickley as the core.

For Barrett, if a deal went down, he would be reunited with Kings GM Scott Perry, who drafted him with the New York Knicks. RJ has one more year to run on his contract, at $29.6 million.