The Sacramento Kings reportedly turned down an opportunity to acquire Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Zach LaVine because they were unwilling to commit to Young on a long-term contract. Kings insider James Ham said Sacramento knew Young would seek an extension immediately and was not prepared to enter a long-term relationship with the four-time All-Star.
“The Kings, of course, had been offered Trae Young at one point in exchange for Zach LaVine,” Ham said, via HoopsHype. “LaVine to Atlanta and Trae Young to the Sacramento Kings. The Kings said no to that deal from what I know, very specifically according to a source of mine.”
Ham said Sacramento’s concern was not simply Young’s fit on the court. The Kings believed Young would seek a new contract immediately after arriving, and the organization was not prepared to make him part of its long-term plans.
The financial concern became significant in hindsight. Young eventually signed a four-year, $212.8 million extension with the Washington Wizards after being traded by Atlanta, demonstrating the type of long-term commitment Sacramento was unwilling to make.
Young’s offensive production has been substantial throughout his career. Over his first eight seasons, he averaged 25.1 points and 9.8 assists per game while shooting 43.3% from the field, 35.2% from three-point range and 87.2% from the free-throw line.
His 2024-25 season illustrated his playmaking value, as Young averaged 24.2 points and a career-high 11.6 assists in 76 games. He was also an All-Star that season despite shooting 41.1% overall and 34.0% from three.
The Kings nevertheless had concerns about building around another high-usage offensive player with defensive limitations. Those concerns were particularly relevant alongside Domantas Sabonis, who averaged 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 19 games during the 2025-26 season.
Sacramento instead retained LaVine after he exercised his $49 million player option for 2026-27. LaVine averaged 19.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 39 games for the Kings last season while shooting 47.9% from the field, 39.0% from three and 88.0% from the free-throw line.
The decision also fits Sacramento’s broader shift toward a younger roster. The Kings finished 22-60 last season and selected Darius Acuff Jr. No. 7 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft after he averaged 23.5 points and 6.4 assists as a freshman at Arkansas.
Sacramento subsequently moved Devin Carter to Atlanta in a salary-dumping trade and waived DeMar DeRozan before signing Ben Simmons to a one-year, $3.5 million contract.
