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James Ham: "According to that source, the Kings have no thought of buying out Zach LaVine at this time. They also plan on him coming back and being ready to have a big year in what is a contract season for him. And according to that source, LaVine is aligned with this thinking. So again, at this point, the Kings and LaVine are tied to each other for the 2026-27 season."
James Ham: "Scott Perry was willing to work with Zach LaVine and his representation to find him a new home before he opted into his contract at the end of June. They were more than willing to work on a sign-and-trade with Zach LaVine, and if he could find a home that even paid him less money but a longer-term contract, the Kings were all on board to try and do that."
Dru: “They've been honest with [Zach LaVine] & said; Look, all bets are off if you opt in...We as a franchise have to make a business decision w/ regards to you—& if he's going to get bought out it should happen now. Because after this it's not advantageous to anybody.” @James_HamNBA
Kings general manager Scott Perry addressed the media on Wednesday and revealed that he anticipates LaVine to play for the team during the upcoming season. “Zach and I have been in communication since the season was over,” Perry said. “We have a very good relationship and good understanding. Zach is still an excellent basketball player. He knows what’s expected of him. He’s coming back here this year. I’m very clear with him on that. He’ll be the first to tell you that. “And I think he’s ready to come back and embrace that and perform to the best of his abilities this year. We can use a lot of the things that Zach LaVine is able to do on the basketball field, so I’m looking forward to him taking a step forward with us this year and how we want to play the game.”
Barry Jackson: There has been no contact yet between DeRozan camp and Heat, per source just now. Miami would be among teams of interest to DeRozan, who is being set free by the Kings. Miami's options now include - among others - DeRozan, Beal, Gary Trent. Or the Heat simply could wait on LeBron decision before deciding what wing player to pursue. I expect Heat to try to add another wing; tough call is whether to pounce on one of these players or wait to see if a surprise name shakes free. Mavs -- trying to be playoff contender- don't need to buyout Klay, obvously. And if Kings use waive and stretch on DeRozan (reported to be likely path), they do not necessarily need to do that with Zach LaVine.
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The Pistons have maintained their stance that they’re not interested in sign-and-trade scenarios for Jalen Duren and will continue to try to bridge the gap between both sides and get a deal done. Duren and Domantas Sabonis share the same agency, The Team. With Sabonis, 30, naturally looking to compete in the prime of his career instead of beginning a rebuild, and the Kings exploring the trade market for Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan, it’s easy to see why this Duren sign-and-trade scenario would appeal to Sacramento. On paper, however, going from the 22-year-old Duren to the 30-year-old Sabonis, who’s owed $94.08 million over the next two years, isn’t prudent for Detroit.
A source said some of the bigger guards on Miami’s radar are 6-4 Bradley Beal, 6-3 Anfernee Simons and 6-5 Kentavious Caldwell Pope (who is expected to part ways with the Grizzlies). The 6-5 Zach LaVine could become an option if the Kings waive and stretch the final season (and $49 million) of his contract. And so could....
LaVine has been the subject of trade rumors and speculation for the past year, but there hasn’t been much of a market for his services due to the size of his contract. The Kings will continue to explore trade possibilities for LaVine as general manager Scott Perry works to overhaul an aging and expensive roster. If they can’t find a deal before the February trade deadline, LaVine’s expiring contract will come off the books next summer, giving Sacramento significant salary cap relief.
Shams Charania: Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine is opting into his $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN.
Damjan Rudez: 'I cannot accurately describe how immense Andrew Wiggins' potential truly was. Having been on the court with him, I believe he had more raw potential than KAT, Zach LaVine, or 99% of the players I ever played with—even including guys like Paul George. There was a dunk he had against Atlanta where I swear I was looking at Michael Jordan. He would just rise and keep rising over three defenders. However, he didn't always have the 'motor'—that high-energy drive that separates the superstars from the great players. We used to call him 'Sleepy' because he always looked a bit drowsy, regardless of his performance. While he eventually became an All-Star and a champion, his physical gifts were so otherworldly that they were almost hard for the human mind to process.'
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Sam Amick: LaVine, I don't have clarity on where he might have some promise, but as we've talked about before, it's he's not leaving that money on the table. So if he can't find a situation, again it's a mutual thing where his agent Rich Paul and the Kings are working together trying to look at this. If he can't find somewhere to do, one concept was just a sign and trade for a lower number where Zach could get his next spot, his next chapter, but the Kings would need to like what was coming back in return. I'm not aware of anything that's promising on that front."
Sactown Sports 1140: “[Zach LaVine and his agency] are not leaving that money on the table. So, he's not opting out." @sam_amick joined @CarmichaelDave & @JasonRoss1140 to share his intel on Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine's pending $49 million player option:
Q. I think I had created a situation in my mind where hey, if somebody wants to give him $60 million over two years, maybe he opts out, but if somebody was trying to give me $50 million to opt in, I think it'd be hard for me… Michael Scotto: It would have to be more than that. It would have to be more than that. Like it would have to be something of like a I don't even know if it's a three-year deal for $100 million, something like that. If you're Zach LaVine, I don't see that out there right now. I think ultimately he's opting in and barring anything of that caliber, that was kind of the expectation I was told and a lot of people around the league have surmised that as well. So I do think ultimately he's opting in.
