Stagnant trade markets and a looming $49 million player option leave Sacramento in a bind, forcing the franchise to navigate injury concerns and a complicated financial future.
The Sacramento Kings enter this offseason at a complicated crossroads.
With a veteran core of Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan, the expectation is that changes are coming. While moving all three stars would be a major overhaul, the more likely scenario is that the Kings deal at least one. Zach LaVine appears to be the top trade candidate, but also the most difficult to move.
Sacramento is widely seen as a team that should be selling, meaning its top players are available. However, LaVine’s contract has long complicated his market. Even during his Chicago Bulls tenure, interest in him often stalled because of salary concerns.
LaVine's $49 Million Player Option Is the Defining Factor
LaVine is expected to pick up his $48.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season, The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported, citing a league source.
"This was widely assumed to be the case, of course, and has everything to do with the fact that he's not expected to be moved by the deadline," Amick wrote.
His $47.5 million salary this season, combined with the option, has made trade discussions difficult. Despite earlier reports, LaVine said he remains undecided on the $48.9 million player option for 2026-27, according to Jake Gadon of CBS Sacramento.
"I will go back and look at the best course of action and ask what is most important to me right now," LaVine said. "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 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."
Surgery That Further Complicates His Trade Value
LaVine’s value was already low entering 2025-26, and injury issues made it worse. He underwent season-ending surgery on his right hand after the All-Star break, league sources told NBA insider Chris Haynes. He averaged 19.2 points, shooting 48 percent from the field and 39 percent from three.
He had missed time due to a tendon injury in his right pinkie. Across 39 games, he posted 19.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game — career lows in rebounds and assists, and his lowest scoring average since 2017-18. Sacramento also explored trade talks before the deadline, including discussions with Milwaukee, but nothing materialized.
Given his production and contract, it is difficult to see teams offering more than his $48.96 million player option for 2026-27.
The Only Interested Party
LaVine drew some interest before the deadline, mostly from the Milwaukee Bucks, before they shifted focus toward evaluating Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future. With no strong suitors, Sacramento held onto him through the deadline without serious offers.
NBA insider Michael Scotto reported in April 2026 that LaVine "is certainly a trade candidate," adding, "They listened to offers before the trade deadline. They're gonna circle back on that again over the summer."
However, the lack of interest underscored the difficulty of moving his deal.
What comes next for Sacramento
The Kings face a summer with limited flexibility. LaVine’s player option decision is due June 29, 2026, giving both sides time to evaluate next steps. James Ham, host of the "Locked On Kings" podcast and a Kings beat reporter for ESPN 1320, outlined possible outcomes, including a trade or holding him through his deal.
"He would get to go to the spot that he wants to go," Ham said. "The team would be able to absorb that contract because they're going to send out additional contracts to make up for what they're taking back."
LaVine remains an efficient scorer, averaging over 20 points on 47 percent shooting for his career, including 39.1 percent from three and 83.5 percent from the line. He has delivered multiple 30- and 40-point games in Sacramento, but the partnership may be nearing its end.
The Kings want to get younger and gain financial flexibility, and LaVine’s contract is central to that decision. For now, the simplest path may be patience. His deal expires after 2026-27 regardless, offering a natural reset point. Whether Sacramento waits it out or tries to accelerate the rebuild will define the next phase under Scott Perry.
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