Sacramento Kings general manager Scott Perry “desperately” wants to trade shooting guard Zach LaVine, NBA sources told DallasHoopsJournal.
The Kings are only 5-14 on the season and LaVine’s lack of effort and focus on defense has frustrated Perry and head coach Doug Christie, sources said.
Sacramento acquired LaVine from the Chicago Bulls last season in the three-team De’Aaron Fox trade with the San Antonio Spurs.
Perry, who wasn’t a fan of LaVine’s game before taking the Kings job this offseason, has been telling people close to him that LaVine is a big reason why Sacramento is nearly dead last in the NBA in points per game allowed, sources said.
LaVine is making $47.5 million this season. He’s averaging 20.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 49.0% from the field, 37.5% from beyond the arc and 89.7% from the free-throw line.
LaVine’s player option for next season is worth $48.9 million. The two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion has been benched in the fourth quarter by Christie lately.
A two-time All-Star, LaVine has played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Bulls and Kings. He holds career averages of 20.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. The 30-year-old’s agent is Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group.
LaVine has only been to the playoffs once in his career. That was back in 2022 with the Bulls, who lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round in five games.
It will be intriguing to see if the Kings trade LaVine before the February trade deadline. Multiple reports have stated that Sacramento is looking to rebuild by trading its veterans.
According to NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Bucks have done background due diligence on LaVine.