One day before Free Agency is officially set to begin, multiple reports confirm that Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine is opting into his final year worth $49 million. This is unsurprising news as there was no way that LaVine could get near that same money by pursuing free agency. The Kings are widely expected to continue to try to find a new home for LaVine via trade but given the size of his contract it won’t be an easy task.
LaVine came to Sacramento as the main return of the De’Aaron Fox trade. He played in 32 games for the Kings that season, but then just 39 all of last season as he dealt with a variety of injuries. LaVine averaged 19.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 31.4 minutes per game last season.
LaVine remains a very talented scorer and shooter with the issue always being his contract length and size. Given that this is his final year, that contract could look more palatable to a team in need of his talents, but it also might have to wait until closer to the trade deadline when the Kings will have already had to pay out most of it. Scott Perry and his regime are looking to build a new foundation for this team, and by all indications, LaVine and the other veterans left over from the previous front office aren’t part of his calculations. We’ve already seen reports that the Kings are expected to trade or waive DeMar DeRozan before the season begins, and Domantas Sabonis has been a constant source of trade rumors, although the Kings have yet to find an offer to their liking.
The new league season calendar officially starts tomorrow with the kick off to Free Agency. As we’ve written previously, the Kings don’t have a lot of room to maneuver, but moving off of some of these veteran contracts could change things drastically. We’ll see how Scott Perry and company handle their second offseason of this rebuild, but Rome wasn’t built in a day and the Kings and fans might need to stay patient while some of these contracts come off the books.
Just don’t do anything stupid to try and save money.
Just don’t do anything stupid to try and save money.
Just don’t do anything stupid to try and save money.
Just don’t do anything stupid to try and save money.
Just don’t do anything stupid to try and save money.
It’s gonna be hilarious when after failing to find a trade for LaVine by the deadline Perry is forced to negotiate a buyout for Zach to save Vivek a few million bucks. LaVine will then sign with a playoff bound team on the cheap.
Since the Kings didn’t seem to understand this a few months ago: Don’t add salary in a salary dump unless you’re getting assets back.
You can say that again.
I agree with ya.
Since the Kings didn’t seem to understand this a few months ago: Don’t add salary in a salary dump unless you’re getting assets back.
Stop saying that.
On second thought..
No Hatred, I’m just excited to see him with a chance to regain his value. Go Zack!
What value? The only team stupid enough to trade for him was the Kings. The league knows what Zach is after this many years.
https://youtu.be/Po4adxJxqZk?si=fL_FhHTICVTo_zdW
So you’re sayin’ there’s a chance!
I don’t think you know. I’m sure he’s better at what he does than you are at what you do
Wow, way to take a personal shot at me. Didn’t see that coming.
U aight tho! Anyway maybe they find a buyout.
Brian Scalabrine has proven that point about every NBA player.
He made 99 threes (the only thing he’s good for) last year in 39 games. That’s about $500k per three pointer.
“the Kings and fans might need to stay patient”
That is the one thing we all very good at.
The money is off the books after this year. Was a lot of bad about the trade but worst scenario was paying and keeping Fox.
off topic of Lavine, but. . .
https://x.com/shamscharania/status/2071673354000470220?s=46
I saw that except it doesn’t say what we are receiving?
Right?!?!?
That sounds about right for our front office.
How fucking dumb is that? Why waste a 2nd round pick when you can just cut and stretch his $5.2M to $1.7M per year?
What is interesting about this is that this gets them below the first apron. That gives the the shivers because that might mean they are not cutting DDR and instead plan to hang on to his contract to move at a later date.
We may still see LaVine and DDR suit up for the Kings to start the season.
Also, I think we should all put money on Atlanta making it to the Finals next season.
Carter and a 2nd to Atl
What’s about to happen???
Watch Atlanta flip him and actually get a pick back!!!
I’m still not sure exactly what we are getting in return? An open roster spot for our 2nd rounder I suppose.
Cash Considerations! There, I said it!!!!!
For good luck, I dusted off my framed Carlos Murphy’s Menu that Reggie Theus signed when he eating at the next table back in 1986, and even used some Pledge to bring back some of the luster of the wooden frame.
Maybe, and I know the hope is slight, the 49m might help facilitate a big contract moving like Kahwi or JB (or even Jimmy since he is likely ballast if the Dubs make a move) since it is expiring, even if adding a bit of draft capital to do so. Even the team got a couple of smaller contracts, they would be easier to do something with or might be a useful player/contract to facilitate other moves at the trade deadline.
I would have higher hopes for this roster just losing DDR, Lavine, & Westbrook & signing Precious.
Bigs (4/5): Sabonis, Maxime, Precious, Cardwell
SF/PF (3/4): Keegan, Hunter, Karaban, Plowden
Gaurds (1/2): Acuff, Monk, Nique, Carter, Sharp, & maybe Hayes.
Plus whatever they had to take back. I would love to go back to DreamTeam-ing and using Sabonis as a the hub, both to rebuild his trade value (esp with only two years on his contract) and to relieve Acuff of too much pressure. It would be nice to see Keegan get 15 shots a game, lowering his ceiling the last two years with DDR & Lavine has driven me insane.
Sabonis has only two years left, and if he is averaging 19/13/7 there is going to be interest if that is a path the FO wants to take. Hunter is expiring, Monk has a PO after this season, if Keegan is averaging 17 & 8 with his typical defense, then he is a strong value. I think there are options here if the team can stay focused on developing and building with Acuff, Keegan, Maxime, etc and having maneuverability for trades and keeping their draft picks and continuing to draft well.
Bradley Beal declined his Player Option, and is unrestricted. NO ONE TELL VIVEK!
Kings exercised Carter’s 3rd year TEAM option in October of 2025. Now they unload a 2nd to salary dump Carter? Make it make sense??
“Fun” fact: The Kings now do not currently own a 2nd round pick until 2034.
Ah! I see the problem here.
Obviously Six Pillar Scott reads TKH.
We’ve opined with the statement:
Free Devin Carter!
So, that’s what he offered the Hawks. They accepted.
Well, at least they can trade any second round picks for that asshole Cash Considerations. I’m tired of re-acquiring him almost every year.
Yeah, looking at it that way, they “got” $5.2m for the pick. Better ROI than the standard $3m.
Just one more year
Sam Amick reporting
Kings trade Devin Carter and a 2033 2nd round pick to Hawks who will absorb the $5.2M salary
No word on what the Kings get other than cap relief
They did the stupid thing to save money!!!
sigh, Crandelled
It’s ok, we drafted…..guards!
BOOM.
Blazers got their veteran culture builder to help them take the next step in Ja Morant.
Morale Maxxing in PDX.
I always knew over paying Jerami Grant, the only SF who rebounds less than HB, was just an investment into the future of the franchise.
Michael,
The Athletic, Sam Amick, is reporting that Duran of the Pistons, will meet with the Kings as soon as FA opens up, with the intent to negotiate a sign and trade.
The only way it works money wise is Domas is the player to be traded to the Pistons.
22 years old. 3rd team All NBA. 19 points per game. Plays D. Rebounds 10 a game.
Getting interesting.
JP!
Nice to see you posting.
Hope all is well old friend.
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