NBA Rumors: The Kings' Plans with Zach LaVine

The Sacramento Kings will face the 2026-27 season with a new stage focused on a young core and a progressive rebuilding process. This change of direction had raised doubts about the future of Zach LaVine, although the latest information clarifies the franchise's stance regarding the shooting guard.

Sacramento does not consider rescinding his contract

After speculation last week about the possibility of the Kings rescinding LaVine's contract to make him a free agent, both journalist Marc Stein and The Carmichael Dave of Sactown Sports have reported in recent days that this option is not on the table.

LaVine, 31, had the opportunity this summer to leave Sacramento. The two-time All-Star could have declined the final year of his contract and tested his luck in free agency to join a title contender. However, that decision would have meant giving up a salary of $48.967 million for the 2026-27 season, a figure he would hardly have recovered in the market, even by signing a multi-year contract.

Therefore, the shooting guard exercised the player option included in his contract, a decision that was virtually a foregone conclusion.

A trade also did not materialize

It appears that Kings' general manager, Scott Perry, explored various alternatives to trade the player during the summer. At one point, the Detroit Pistons were linked with a slight interest in LaVine, although the deal never materialized because no franchise was willing to take on the shooting guard's high salary.

His continuity will impact the development of young players

LaVine's presence in the rotation next season will inevitably reduce the minutes and shots for young players like Nique Clifford, Alex Karaban, and Emanuel Sharp.

However, in Sacramento, they believe that giving these players more prominence does not offset the economic cost of rescinding LaVine's contract, paying him tens of millions of dollars, and spreading that amount over several years just to facilitate his move to a championship contender.

The winter market seems a possible way out

This summer, the Kings already managed to fall below the luxury tax apron after rescinding DeMar DeRozan's contract and trading Devin Carter to the Atlanta Hawks, a move that helped reduce spending for the franchise owned by Vivek Ranadivé.

Furthermore, with no trade involving Domantas Sabonis materializing, the roster is likely to remain virtually unchanged at the start of the season.

Nevertheless, Sacramento could find an opportunity to move LaVine before the trade deadline. As his contract nears expiration, his situation could be more appealing to other teams, and the Kings would not have to include future draft picks to shed his high salary.

Once LaVine's era in the franchise ends, Sabonis ($48.608 million) and Malik Monk ($21.582 million) will also enter the final year of their respective contracts. In this scenario, Sacramento's payroll would be reduced to around $125 million, with an even larger amount being freed up after the 2027-28 season.