In his first game appearance in almost three weeks, LaVine came off the bench on Sunday, marking the first time since January 8, 2024 (while with the Chicago Bulls), that he was not part of the starting lineup.<\/p>\n
LaVine scored 20 points (six-of-12 from the field) and passed out four assists over 35 minutes in the Kings\u2019 latest blowout loss<\/a>, one that dropped Sacramento to a season-worst 20 games under the .500 mark.<\/p>\n ZACH cuts the lead to four with a SLAM pic.twitter.com\/5Xw0xjYJXm<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) January 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n More on Zach LaVine & his response to trade rumors<\/p>\n While the Kings (8-28) continue to nosedive in the NBA standings as they set their sights on a high pick in this summer\u2019s NBA Draft, Zach LaVine\u2019s return comes at an ideal time as teams around the league gauge whether or not they will make big moves at the trade deadline.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel good. It felt good to get back out there,\u201d LaVine said following his return. \u201cI was able to go out there and give effort. I felt fine. I\u2019ll get more of my rhythm back.\u201d<\/p>\n When asked for his thoughts on the trade rumors\u2013specifically, if his return against the often-linked-Bucks was targeted or a coincidence\u2013LaVine shared his thoughts:<\/p>\n \u201cI think that there\u2019s been trade talks with a lot of teams,\u201d Zach LaVine said. \u201cI don\u2019t think I worry about that. I think that\u2019s your guys\u2019 job to try to put some storylines out there. You can run with them.\u201d<\/p>\n It was an as-expected response from LaVine, who\u2013like most other Kings players and personnel\u2013has been frustrated by Sacramento\u2019s abysmal start to a season that now looks like it\u2019s headed for a high lottery pick.<\/p>\n Moving Zach LaVine and unclogging a current logjam that includes Russell Westbrook, Keon Ellis, Dennis Schroder, and Malik Monk (who registered a DNP-CD on Sunday) would be ideal for first-year Kings general manager Scott Perry, but that will be easier said than done.<\/p>\n LaVine is one of the better pure shooters in the game today, but his bloated contract will make suitors scarce.<\/p>\n If Milwaukee or any other team were to trade for the two-time All-Star, they would also take over the remaining money on this year\u2019s $47.5 million total. LaVine also has a $48.9 million player option for 2026-27, one that he almost certainly will exercise unless he is inked to an extension.<\/p>\n The NBA trade deadline is quickly approaching (Thursday, February 6th at 12 pm PT). Will Zach LaVine be on the move? An answer to that question is just weeks away\u2013but don\u2019t expect to hear much from LaVine about it.<\/p>\n Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season<\/p>\n Tuesday, January 6th\u00a0\u2013 vs. Dallas Mavericks \u2013 6:00 PM PT Thank you for reading\u00a0SactownSports.com<\/a>. Follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Google News<\/a>, and subscribe to our\u00a0YouTube<\/a>\u00a0channel.<\/p>\n
\nFriday, January 9th\u00a0\u2013 @ Golden State Warriors \u2013 7:00 PM PT
\nSunday, January 11th\u00a0\u2013 vs. Houston Rockets \u2013 6:00 PM PT
\nMonday, January 12th\u00a0\u2013 vs. Los Angeles Lakers \u2013 7:00 PM PT
\nWednesday, January 14th\u00a0\u2013 vs. New York Knicks \u2013 7:00 PM PT<\/p>\n
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