Domantas Sabonis to the Sacramento Kings

Another major trade has happened in the NBA with still two days to go until the NBA trade deadline. A couple of hours after the CJ McCollum deal comes a one that is even bigger. Domantas Sabonis is heading to Sacramento and Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield and more are going to Indiana.

Domantas Sabonis was looking like the franchise player for the Pacers. This after being drafted by Oklahoma City 11th overall, then traded in the Paul George deal to Indiana and then started to ball out. Sabonis is so far having a great season averaging, 18.9 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. But, Sabonis will be heading to Sacramento along with Jeremy Lamb, Justin Holliday, and a 2027 second-round pick.

Let's look at who the Kings lost and the Pacers gained. The Pacers received Buddy Hield, Tyrese Haliburton, and Tristan Thompson. Haliburton, who was the 12th pick in the 2020 draft. The sophomore guard is averaging 14.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game this season. This shows that he is the future of the league and of the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers also got an elite sharpshooter in Buddy Hield. Hield is averaging 14.4 points, 4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 37% from 3 this season.

Who won this deal? Although Sabonis is an all-star level player. He cannot carry the Kings with Fox anywhere close to the Finals this season or next, and even with them being young, giving up Haliburton they have closed off on their future. With that being said, I believe that the Pacers have won the trade. This is because they have just got a jump start on their rebuilding stage where they are soon going to be contenders once Haliburton develops and lives out his potential.

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Gabe Barile

Gabriel Takes