Surprise Contender Emerges as Strong Candidate for Domantas Sabonis’ Backup Role

The Sacramento Kings are evaluating their options for a backup center following Domantas Sabonis’ injury. In the recent 2025-2026 preseason games, Drew Eubanks has emerged as a strong contender for the role. His performance has garnered attention from the coaching staff and fans alike.

Drew Eubanks: Strong Performance in Preseason

Drew Eubanks showcased his potential during the Kings’ final preseason game. He proved he could fill in effectively for Sabonis, who is recovering from a grade 1 hamstring strain. The injury is likely to sideline Sabonis for a few weeks, creating an urgent need for a reliable starting center.

Current Lineup Options

The Kings have several candidates to step up in Sabonis’ absence:

• Drew Eubanks: Strong all-around game with considerable preseason experience.
• Dario Saric: A dependable bench player but unsuitable for a starting role.
• Maxime Raynaud: A rookie with potential, still needing more experience.
• Dylan Cardwell: Another rookie who has performed well but lacks starting experience.

Eubanks’ Impact on the Game

Eubanks has demonstrated his value throughout the preseason. In his performances, he averaged solid contributions, including:

• 10 points
• 5 rebounds
• 4 assists
• 1 steal
• 2 blocks

Although he may not match Sabonis’ remarkable double-double capabilities, Eubanks has shown he can be an offensive threat and a strong presence on defense. His ability to adapt and fill various roles has been crucial for the Kings during this period.

Looking Ahead

As the Kings anticipate Sabonis’ return, the coaching staff is keen to see how Eubanks can maintain his performance level. Both Raynaud and Cardwell have potential but require further development before they can be counted on as starters. For now, Eubanks stands out as the front-runner to back up Sabonis effectively.

The team is hopeful that Sabonis will make a swift recovery. Until then, Eubanks’ solid play will be vital in keeping the Kings competitive in the upcoming games.