Earlier this month, it was reported that Zach LaVine planned to exercise his player option for next season worth $49 million. On Monday, LaVine spoke to Sacramento media and provided an update on how is thinking about his future.
“I’ll go back and talk to my representative and figure out what’s the best course of action. I think that goes along with him as what’s most important to you right now and what makes sense. Obviously, having a player option is a good thing in my camp. We’ll go back and look at everything, look at all the scenarios, watch the playoffs and see what happens,” he said.
As for what he wants, he said, “Where I’m at in my career is we want to win. I’ll speak for myself, obviously.”
LaVine had a rough season, averaging his lowest points per game since 2017-18 (19.2), and playing in only 37 games.
It is hard to believe he would step away from $49 million. Given his injuries and recent production, you would have to assume the current market would not match or exceed that number.
Still, LaVine did emphasize winning at the point in his career, so his decision is still worth keeping an eye on, especially since he is on a Sacramento Kings team that doesn’t exactly have winning built into its culture over the majority of the past four decades.
I just don’t see him leaving $49M on the table, regardless if he’s playing for shitty Sac team. Only a few teams have cap space: Wiz, Clips, Lakers, Jazz, Nets, and Bulls
We know he’s not going back to Chicago. The Nets, Wiz, and Jazz are in a youth rebuild and aren’t winning anytime soon. That leaves the Lakers and Clips.
Lakers are building around Luka and want to retain Reaves. I don’t see an aging LaVine as part of their plans. The Clips, however, I can squint and see it. If they continue with Garland and Leonard, maybe they would want LaVine’s scoring punch? The problem is they already have Dunn on the cheap and still need to round out their roster. Could Ballmer come to the Kings rescue and offer an overpay for LaVine this summer? Something like 3 years at $75M?
Meh, doubtful. Unless he’s going to take the MLE from some team, he’s returning to Sac.
Unless he opts out to re-sign here for 4 years 160 million. Vivek!!!
Beat me to it. Why take the player option for $49 mil when he could get an extension for more. Jimmy Hams has mentioned that he thought Zach could opt out if there is a long-ish term contract with less per year, i.e. $72 mil over 3 years vs $49 mil this year. Im not advocating for resigning/extending Zach. Take the $49 mil hit and move on and maybe someone is willing to take on the remainder of the contract at the trade deadline.
$49M is too much to leave on the table, IMO. I can’t imagine his agent and he can paint a better financial scenario.
For other teams?
As a talent, I like Zach Lavine – he is one heck of a shooter/scorer. It is his salary that is the problem, not so much the player (other than his health issues). He should be (and have been) paid like Malik Monk, not as low as Buddy Hield, not as high as Steph Curry.
Lavine is a known entity, much like DeMar DeRozan. The season following this next one will have him a year older, and a bit more rickety (as he is oft injured). His value will be determined in Free Agency. I can’t believe anyone will give him $75M or $90M for three seasons. And if they do, they can wait to do that after this season. He is a nice piece, not a game changer.
Should he be extended? of course not.
Should he be waived and stretched? The contract gurus I have read, suggest no
Should he be waived and given a lesser buyout? same answer as above.
In contrast, Anthony Davis, now with the Washington Wizards was asked about his future with the team and gave a “I like the money” type answer. That guy needs some PR coaching, as that is an awful response, IMO.
Drapes > Jones IMO
Seems Drapes is no longer with the Kings.
Badge Legend