Next season is the final year of Zach LaVine’s 5-year contract he originally signed with the Chicago Bulls. He has a player option for that final year, which is slated to pay him $48.9 million.
Michael Scotto at HoopsHype is reporting that LaVine plans to exercise that player option.
Reporting on Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine, who sources say is expected to exercise his $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season, along with potential offseason trade candidates Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, and Malik Monk with host @ChrisShearnYES on @YESNetwork. pic.twitter.com/pzUwSxJP1l
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) April 3, 2026
I mean, why wouldn’t he?
This season was his lowest scoring season since 2017-18. It was also his lowest assist per game average of his career (2.3) and the lowest rebound average (2.8) since 2015-16. He did shoot 47% from the field and 39% from three. He played in 39 games.
Should be on a team with Jerami Grant, Ben Simmons, Paul George, and Joel Embid. The overpaid quintet.
Yeah!
Probably already working behind the scenes to get him a contract extension. 😉
Right after the ink is dry on DeMar’s.
Turns out that most people DO have an amount of money they’d accept to endure a year of misery.
Wow, can you imagine if he only plays 39 games next year too? $49M for 39 games. That’s a pretty good average per game.
There is zero market for a player like him going forward. No d score only options are dying fast. Trae and Ja are the proof.
Which is why Acuff is horrifying.
Agreed, and that is why Acuff will be a King.
I watched the Spurs vs Nuggets game, and it was a lot of fun. Two young coaches with elite centers built around a complimentary core went to OT, but the play-off tested Nugs won. Gordon played extremely well defense in the 4th and OT and IMHO is the key that unlocked that Denver chip. Fox had two airball 3s that were costly, which made me remember all the times we wanted him to take over a game in crunch time, but he just doesnt have that Alpha mentality (clutch player of the year be damned). Id say he is B1, while Wemby and Castle are 1a and 1b. But looking at Joker now as a 2nd round pick, versus Maxi as another 2nd round pick might be a gem in the rough. I dont think he will get to the level of Joker, but Maxi can pattern his game after Jokic who does not rely on athleticism but on smarts.
But going back to Fox and his present day performance, it makes me wonder if all our grievances that we could have gotten a better deal for him was because we were overvaluing him versus what the other GMs perceived him to be. And thats how we landed with a $49 mil blackhole and nary a good pick.
That fox contract is about to be a massive albatross
By the time his contract is up, it won’t be top 30 in the league. And he has been perfect for SA. Played big when Wemby was out. Stepped back when Wemby returned. Has had a hand in the development of Castle & Harper. Consummate teammate. An absolute pearl.
All true, but I still think his contract could potentially be the big piece in a Giannis trade. Fox, Harper and picks.
FU Vivek. That is all
Congrats to his agent!
Have ZERO issues with LaVine taking the option.
I have ALL the issues with this franchise not only trading for this player with this contract, but keeping him here and allowing this price-tag to even exist in Sacramento.
You deserve 2026-2027, Kings management.
So Zach LaVine is an expensive asset and part of a horrific trade but he’s still an asset. A healthy Zach LaVine at next years midseason trade deadline can be a big pickup for a contending team. Adding him to a team like Boston, New York, Denver would be a big piece for a contending team. We have to figure out a way to get some draft capital or a young player for him next year. So maybe we get a bunch of bench players on expiring contracts along with a highly protected first for him. I think he’s still an asset to monetize.
Why do I have the horrible feeling the Kings will bid against themselves and sign him to a lesser yet still massive over pay based say (3 for 80) on his awful contract and his current levels of performance
Badge Legend