Sacramento Kings’ center Domantas Sabonis has reached an agreement on a substantial contract renegotiation and extension, securing a total of $217 million over the course of five seasons. This includes $195 million in new money, as confirmed by his agents Greg Lawrence and Jason Ranne of Wasserman to ESPN on Saturday night. The official agreement was reached late on Saturday night, according to sources.
To sweeten the deal for Sabonis, the Kings are utilizing their salary cap space to provide an additional $8.6 million, thereby increasing his earnings for the 2023-2024 season to $30.6 million. Furthermore, they have added a four-year extension to his contract, which will result in Sabonis receiving nearly $200 million more throughout the duration of his agreement.
Sabonis Prioritizes Flexibility Over Maximum Earnings
Despite the opportunity to secure the full amount available to him, the 27-year-old Sabonis opted for a different approach. He engaged in discussions with the Kings’ leadership, expressing his desire to prioritize the team’s ability to build a flexible roster over maximizing his own earnings. Team officials revealed this to ESPN, highlighting Sabonis’ commitment to the success of the franchise.
Additional Moves by the Kings
In addition to finalizing the new deal for Sabonis, the Kings have also secured the services of starting forward Harrison Barnes on a three-year contract worth $53 million. Furthermore, they have reached an agreement with EuroLeague star Sasha Vezenkov on a three-year deal valued at $20 million. These signings demonstrate the Kings’ determination to strengthen their roster and build a competitive team.
Rare Occurrence of Contract Renegotiations in the NBA
Contract renegotiations are not commonly seen in the NBA. However, there have been a few instances in the past where teams have engaged in this practice. Notably, the Oklahoma City Thunder renegotiated Russell Westbrook’s contract in 2016 after Kevin Durant’s departure to the Golden State Warriors in free agency. The Houston Rockets also participated in a less lucrative renegotiation with James Harden in the same year.
Sabonis’ Impact on the Sacramento Kings
Since joining the Kings in a trade with the Indiana Pacers in 2022, Sabonis has played a pivotal role in the team’s resurgence. In the most recent season, the Kings made their long-awaited return to the playoffs after a 16-year absence. Sabonis’s exceptional performance earned him a spot on the All-NBA third team, with impressive averages of 19.1 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game. Only Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets recorded more triple-doubles than Sabonis.
Furthermore, Sabonis’s contributions were instrumental in making the Kings’ offense the most efficient in NBA history. According to research by ESPN Stats & Information, he became one of just two players ever to average at least 12 rebounds and five assists while shooting 60 percent from the field.
Domantas Sabonis has agreed to a lucrative contract extension with the Sacramento Kings, demonstrating his commitment to the team’s success and prioritizing roster flexibility over maximum earnings. This move is part of the Kings’ efforts to build a competitive team, as shown by their additional signings of Harrison Barnes and Sasha Vezenkov. Sabonis’s impact on the team has been significant, propelling them to their first playoff appearance in 16 years and contributing to the most efficient offense in NBA history.
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