The Sacramento Kings are entering a new era when the 2026-27 NBA season tips off, turning the page with a young core that will be the focal point of a slow rebuild. It’s created uncertainty regarding All-Star guard Zach LaVine‘s future in Sacramento, but there’s now more clarity on the situation.
After some initial speculation last week that Sacramento might buy out the rest of LaVine’s contract, NBA insider Marc Stein and Sactown Sports’ The Carmichael Dave have both reported in recent days that LaVine will not be bought out by the Kings so he could reach NBA free agency.
Zach LaVine contract (Spotrac): $48.967 million salary for 2026-27 NBA season
LaVine, age 31, had his opportunity to leave Sacramento this offseason. The two-time NBA All-Star selection could’ve declined the final year on his contract, testing the open market and joining a playoff contender. However, that would’ve meant walking away from nearly $49 million and he wouldn’t have landed that much money in free agency, even on a multi-year contract.
Related: Kings’ Darius Acuff Jr. Draws NBA Comparison to Future Hall of Famer
It was a guarantee that LaVine was going to exercise that player option this summer and he did. Furthermore, it’s just as likely that Kings general manager Scott Perry explored avenues to trading the All-Star guard. The Detroit Pistons were linked at one point with slight interest in LaVine, but a trade never materialized as no one in the NBA wants to be on the hook for his contract.
LaVine’s presence in the Kings lineup next season will certainly take some shots and minutes away from young players like Nique Clifford, Alex Karaban and Emanuel Sharp. However, providing them with more opportunities isn’t worth the cost of paying LaVine tens of millions of dollars and spreading it out over multiple years just so he can go play for a contender.
The Kings already got themselves under the first luxury tax apron this summer by buying out DeMar DeRozan and trading Devin Carter to the Atlanta Hawks, saving owner Vivek Ranadive money. With no trade materializing for All-Star center Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento’s lineup is likely to remain as it currently stands.
Related: Kings GM Sheds Light on Domantas Sabonis’ Future in Sacramento
It is possible that Sacramento will be able to move LaVine around the NBA trade deadline, when his expiring contract is more appealing and the team wouldn’t need to attach future draft picks to get off his deal. Once he is gone, Sabonis ($48.608 million) will be in a contract year along with Malik Monk ($21.582 million) and the Kings will have just a $125 million payroll with even more money set to come off the books following the 2027-28 season.
Matt Johnson is Senior Editor of NFL and College Football for Sportsnaut. His work, including weekly NFL and college … More about Matt Johnson