Domantas Sabonis Returned to Sacramento Kings for Preseason
The veteran center has rejoined team activities following knee surgery that limited his play last season.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Basketball
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Domantas Sabonis has returned to the Sacramento Kings for the 2026-27 NBA preseason after missing most of the previous year due to knee surgery. The 30-year-old center rejoined the team as they commenced preparations for the upcoming campaign.
Why it matters
Sabonis's return is vital for Sacramento, as his previous absence due to a severe knee issue significantly hampered the team's depth and rotation during the prior campaign. The veteran center managed trade rumors throughout the offseason while focusing on his recovery.
Domantas Sabonis played only 19 games last season, and the Kings have scheduled six exhibition games to evaluate their new-look roster before the regular season begins.
The players
Domantas Sabonis
He is a 30-year-old veteran center and a multi-time All-Star who serves as a primary interior force for the Sacramento Kings.
Maxime Raynaud
He is a 23-year-old center who recently gained experience playing in international national team training and games.
Alex Karaban
He is a newcomer to the Sacramento Kings roster who previously won two NCAA titles while playing for the University of Connecticut.
Emanuel Sharp
He is a new addition to the Sacramento Kings roster for the 2026-27 season.
The details
The Kings have bolstered their lineup with additions including 23-year-old center Maxime Raynaud and two-time NCAA champion Alex Karaban. Emanuel Sharp also joins the squad as the team prepares for their regular season opener.
Timeline
During the 2025-26 season, Sabonis was limited to 19 games by a knee injury.
The Sacramento Kings held their preseason media day on Monday, September 28, 2026.
The regular season opener against the Portland Trail Blazers is set for October 23, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The return of Sabonis fundamentally alters the Kings' frontcourt rotation and playoff aspirations for the 2026-27 campaign. His health determines whether Sacramento can integrate newcomers like Karaban and Raynaud while maintaining the competitive balance necessary for a deep postseason run.
The availability of Sabonis for the October 23 regular season opener against Portland will clarify the team's starting rotation and high-post offensive structure. Fantasy managers and fans should monitor his participation levels during the six upcoming exhibition games to gauge his recovery progress.
The takeaway
The successful return of a core player like Sabonis provides the Kings with much-needed stability as they integrate younger talent into their rotation. Monitoring his workload through the exhibition schedule will be critical to ensuring his health through the full regular season.
Further reading
For more updates on the roster, visit Basketball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Eurohoops.
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