The Golden State Warriors aren’t where they, or many other people, thought they would be a month into the 2025-26 NBA season. With a 9-9 record, constant injuries, and questions surrounding team chemistry, the Warriors are expected to make changes soon to get the most out of the remaining years they have with superstar Stephen Curry.
Most recently, Golden State was rumored to be interested in Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings. The other Northern California team is reportedly ‘willing to listen to offers for players up and down their roster,’ and with his strong resume, Sabonis could come in and immediately benefit this middling Warriors team.
However, a trade for the three-time All-Star in Sabonis would be risky, and though a deal could include Jonathan Kuminga, the Warriors were recently urged to avoid a Kings trade ‘at absolutely all costs.’
“When it comes to Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis, the franchise should absolutely be steering clear of a mid-season move,” Peter O’Keefe wrote for BlueManHoop . “The combination of spacing concerns, defense and contract means there’s far too many limitations for it to be truly worth considering.”
O’Keefe highlighted some of the positives that could come from the Warriors adding Sabonis, but upheld his belief that trading for a player like him wouldn’t fix the team’s biggest concerns around Curry, Jimmy Butler , and Draymond Green .
Warriors Urged Against Sabonis Trade
Again, Sabonis is a good player who could potentially elevate the floor of this Warriors team. Though missing time this season, the former All-Star big man has averaged roughly 19 points, nine rebounds, and six assists on nearly 60% shooting over the past few years with the Kings.
However, despite his strengths on offense, the recent injury and defensive concerns are the biggest reasons why Golden State should be wary of a move like this.
“Sabonis would certainly fill some of Golden State’s concerns, but he’d also open up quite a few that makes this potential trade package — and the two years, $95 million left on his deal — not overly worth it,” O’Keefe added. “How does a starting front court of Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Sabonis work from a spacing standpoint?… While a strong rebounder, Sabonis is viewed as a defensive liability which doesn’t particularly fit Golden State’s ethos.”
Sabonis remains a strong offensive hub, able to do a lot on that side of the floor. But Golden State already has three of those players in Curry, Butler, and Green, and adding a player like Sabonis would drastically increase their already high salary cap number . Golden State should be looking to make a move, but likely not for a player like the Kings’ star big man.
Well, What Would A Trade Look Like
Despite O’Keefe trying to push the Warriors off the scent, there may not be a ton of other big man options out there. Al Horford is expected to miss time for their already weak frontcourt, and barring a bombshell move for Anthony Davis , Sabonis might be their only option, if a big man is who they are leaning towards.
So, despite the push not to make this deal, here is what a potential trade for Sabonis would look like, according to Evan Sidery of Forbes.
“The Kings and Warriors, who had dialogue around Jonathan Kuminga, are widely expected to pick up talks again ahead of the deadline around a bigger framework,” he wrote in a post on X . “Golden State can build a compelling package around Kuminga, Moses Moody , Buddy Hield for Domantas Sabonis and Keon Ellis .”
Before Kuminga signed his deal to return to the Warriors, the Kings were one of a few teams interested in the wing player. With recent injury updates , questions about fit, and concerning comments made by head coach Steve Kerr , Kuminga could be on his way out as soon as he’s available to be moved on January 15th.
However, asking Golden State to give up Moody and Hield, as Sidery mentioned, could be too big a package. Getting back Sabonis and Ellis certainly wouldn’t be a bad haul, but the Warriors need as many shooters as possible around Curry.
Golden State remains in limbo right now , with injuries ravaging a team that had high expectations before the season. A trade for Sabonis shouldn’t be ruled out, but for the reasons mentioned, it will likely never come to fruition.
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