Zach LaVine will not be leaving Sacramento. LaVine has decided to take his player option for the 2026-27 season, worth $49 million. The decision was made on Monday ahead of the June 29 deadline.
No Shock Here
LaVine’s opt-in puts the Kings right at the second apron and $16 million over the luxury-tax line, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks
The move had been signalled for weeks. LaVine and his Klutch Sports representation weren’t leaving the money on the table, The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported earlier. “They’re not going to leave that money on the table. He’s not opting out,” Amick said on Sactown Sports 1140.
The only real alternative discussed would be a sign-and-trade where LaVine would opt out and sign with another team for a lesser salary. The Kings were open to that, but Amick said LaVine’s people haven’t had much luck there.
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. pic.twitter.com/QjgFOl4iNz
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2026
Frustrating Time in Sacramento
LaVine’s stint with the Kings has not gone to plan. An injury limited him to 39 games in 2025-26. When healthy, he averaged 19.2 points per game, shooting 48 percent from the floor and 39 percent from long range.
Sacramento had a miserable 22-60 season. LaVine was acquired in a three-team deal, with De’Aaron Fox heading to the San Antonio Spurs, a deal that has been criticized time and time again
Kings guard Zach LaVine is picking up his $49M player option for the 2026-27 season, per @ChrisBHaynes. pic.twitter.com/VrWhcmThb4
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 29, 2026
What Comes Next
LaVine is a trade candidate and the Detroit Pistons are among the teams keeping tabs on his situation. His deal, now expiring after the end of the season, becomes one of Sacramento’s most valuable potential trade assets heading into 2026-27.
One thing LaVine himself has been clear about “I want to win at this stage of my career,” he told reporters in April. Whether that will happen in Sacramento is yet to be seen
