Ahead of the NBA trade deadline, the Sacramento Kings were one of the teams rumored to make big splashes. They didn't end up with Ben Simmons like they had hoped but they still made a huge move for Indiana Pacers star Domantas Sabonis. In a huge move, they included Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield in a package to land a package centered around Sabonis.

Paired alongside De'Aaron Fox, Sabonis could become a good fit in Sacramento. The pressure will be on, though, to get the team into the playoff race. That's the whole reason why they swung for the fences. Facing a 15-year playoff drought has made the Kings extra eager to be a good team again.

The entire Kings franchise has to prove that they know what they're doing when the season resumes. All their hopes lie on Sabonis, making him the player with the most to prove.

The 1 Kings player with most to prove after 2022 All-Star break

Through his first four games with the Kings, Sabonis is averaging 17.3 points, 11.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists while shooting 57.4 percent. This level of production is just about what he was doing in Indiana. So far, he has a 2-2 record in the purple and silver.

Trading Haliburton, who had been one of their very best players through his 1.5 seasons with the team, signaled that the Kings were essentially on their knees begging for a shot at the playoffs. They were not interested in waiting for Haliburton to become a true star. Even though the young point guard could reasonably become one very soon, the Kings were starving for a true All-Star.

Sabonis also has to prove that he is a true star as well. Despite having two All-Star selections to his name, he has not led the Pacers to anything significant. His production is uniquely good but he seemingly lacks the impact that other great players do. His lack of a consistent 3-point shot and uninspiring defensive chops are partly to blame.

Even with his deficiencies, Sabonis has the brute strength, post moves and playmaking skills to impact the game at a pretty high level. But can he may not be good enough to lead the Kings to the postseason. Fox and Harrison Barnes are the only other players who can carry a big scoring load. Jeremy Lamb, Richaun Holmes, Donte DiVincenzo, Justin Holiday and Terence Davis can pitch in a little bit. That may not be enough to generate a strong offense.

Defense is another, much worse situation. Davion Mitchell brings great defensive energy and other players like Barnes and Holiday can contribute at a respectable level. The Kings will need more to get out of the doldrums of the defensive rating leaderboard, where they place 29th in the league. Sabonis improving his ability to contest shots would be greatly helpful but the blame is not squarely on him.

Although much of the pressure for Sabonis to do well is not his fault, it is real. Sacramento showed a strong belief in him when they traded away one of their best young players ever in order to get him.

The pressure is on for Sabonis to become the star that Sacramento sacrificed a big chunk of their future for. The team's 13th-place positioning in the standings may offer some leeway for Sabonis for this season. Moving forward, though, he will have to become the star that can lead the Kings back to relevance.