The Sacramento Kings do not intend to buy out Zach LaVine after the veteran guard exercised his $48.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season, according to Jake Fischer.
LaVine’s decision guaranteed his return to Sacramento for the final year of his contract after joining the Kings from the Chicago Bulls at the 2025 trade deadline. While Sacramento continues exploring trade possibilities as part of its roster reset, the franchise has no plans to remove LaVine from the roster through a buyout.
The 30-year-old guard remained productive when healthy during the 2025-26 season, averaging 19.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 39 games. LaVine shot 47.9% from the field, 39.0% from three-point range on 6.5 attempts per game, and 88.0% from the free-throw line.
LaVine’s availability was the biggest concern last season, as injuries limited him to fewer than half of Sacramento’s 82 games. However, his scoring efficiency remained among the team’s best, with a .569 effective field goal percentage that ranked above most of the Kings’ primary scorers.
Sacramento enters the 2026-27 season in the middle of a major transition after finishing 22-60, the second-worst record in the Western Conference. General manager Scott Perry has focused on lowering payroll, adding young talent and creating long-term flexibility after the franchise moved away from its previous veteran-heavy roster.
The Kings already created financial room by waiving DeMar DeRozan, removing his $25.7 million salary from the books while only owing $10 million in guaranteed money. The move helped Sacramento get below the first apron and opened additional flexibility for future transactions.
Keeping LaVine under contract gives Sacramento another significant salary slot to potentially use in trade negotiations. His contract, however, also represents a major financial commitment for a rebuilding team that is looking to prioritize younger players.
Sacramento added youth during the 2026 NBA Draft, selecting Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. with the No. 7 overall pick. The Kings also acquired UConn forward Alex Karaban at No. 29, selected Houston guard Emanuel Sharp at No. 45, and added undrafted prospects B.J. Edwards and Marquel Sutton.
The Kings also retained frontcourt depth by re-signing Precious Achiuwa to a two-year, $11.5 million contract and signed Daeqwon Plowden on a two-year, $5.1 million deal.
With LaVine, Domantas Sabonis and other veterans still on the roster, Sacramento’s next decisions will determine the direction of the rebuild. Sabonis has drawn trade interest from teams including the Charlotte Hornets and Toronto Raptors, while LaVine remains one of the team’s most realistic trade candidates because of his contract size and scoring ability.
