By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Sacramento Kings have tipped off their preparations for the 2026–27 NBA Regular Season.
During preseason media day on Monday, Domantas Sabonis quickly shut down any lingering questions about his health. After an injury-shortened year restricting him to just 19 games, the three-time All-Star center looked ready to move forward.
“I’m 100%. Feeling good, feeling great,” the Lithuanian forward-center stressed.
Playing through pain has always been a trademark. However, a severe knee issue forced him to face his first extended period on the sidelines.
“Definitely tough,” he confessed. “Definitely a lot of emotions. It happened in game two of the season, actually. Tried to push through the, the, the next 17 games.”
Sitting out changed how he views the game.
“We’re NBA players. This is awesome. You gotta enjoy every moment. And this is everything we worked for,” explained 30-year-old Sabonis. “Just to go out there and have joy.”
Overcoming regrets, trade rumors
Sabonis admitted he has some regrets about how he handled his injury. In hindsight, trying to play through structural damage slowed down his overall timeline. “Maybe I should have got the surgery straight away,” he mentioned.
The offseason also brought constant trade talk. He ignored the rumors, relying on direct communication with his team and management to stay grounded.
“I can’t control any of it. The injury helped. I was just focused on getting healthy. A lot of things are being said out there, but I have a great relationship with Scott [Perry]. I have great agents. I know everything that’s going on. And I’m excited I’m here,” he said.
“Easy. It’s all made up,” he added, replying to a question about dealing with distractions. “It’s all out there. I don’t know where you guys get most of it from. I’m there with Scott, with my agent, so I’m not on social media as much.”
Raynaud embraces frontcourt competition
French center Maxime Raynaud handled center duties during Sabonis’s absence last season. Fresh off a summer with the national team, the sophomore big returned with a better grasp of how to handle the league’s physical demands. Debuting for the senior national team offered a different level of pressure, keeping him sharp ahead of training camp.
“It was great,” he shared. “We pretty much qualified for the World Cup now. It’s really fun because we have really high expectations there. Our expectations and our goal is to win pretty much every game. So, I guess the intensity at practice, at games, and also playing in front of a European crowd really made the whole experience that much more entertaining.”
The Kings‘ frontcourt is crowded, but 23-year-old Raynaud welcomes the challenge. “It started with the national team where you have like, you know, Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert with you, and then it’s here with Domas,” he said. “Everybody knows who Domas is.”
Rookies Sharp and Karaban ready for the stage
The roster features several new additions, including a former international player with Israel at the junior level, Emanuel Sharp. “They’re NBA players,” he described the Kings preseason roster. “It’s special being on the court with the guys that are the best at their craft and what they do. I mean, this is the highest level of basketball, so it’s kind of a blessing to be here and being in this space with them.”
Fellow draft pick this summer, Alex Karaban is also managing a major shift in scenery, after winning two NCAA titles with Connecticut. “It’s different for me,” said the 23-year-old forward of Belarusian and Ukrainian heritage. “It’s a new experience for me here, just being on a whole different coast and just being away from family. And then just learning the new coaches, learning how to play with new teammates. So it’s an adjustment, but it’s been a great adjustment so far, and I’ve really just been enjoying every day.”
Sacramento plays six exhibition games before opening the Regular Season at home against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 23.
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