The Kings and first-year general manager Scott Perry are using this season as a patient evaluation campaign, trying to build a gritty culture. They are open-minded about trade talks throughout the roster, sources said. Teams are monitoring veterans Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, along with 25-year-old guard Keon Ellis. ESPN | Dec. 9, 2025

Cyro Asseo: I asked Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine, as he walked to the team bus, on scoring 42 points vs Miami Heat after having 2 points the game before: “I can do that any night if they give me the damn ball enough.” x.com | Dec. 6, 2025

Marc Stein: Zach LaVine has a player option in 2026–27 that’s worth almost $50 million. And kind of the rumble — the rumble there — is if he were willing to decline the option and take a longer-term extension at a lesser number, I think there would be some trade interest in Zach LaVine. Then DeMar DeRozan — because his contract next season, I think, is only guaranteed for about $10 million — you know, perhaps a trade market will emerge there. YouTube | Dec. 1, 2025

The fan was later identified as Devlin Carter. Many immediately assumed that he got mad because he lost a bet. The Kings lost to the Suns, 112-100. Carter has explained his side of the story in a video posted on Instagram. He claimed that he was only disgusted by LaVine’s performance. After not one, not two, not three, not four, but after the sixth time Zach LaVine leaves his man wide open for a three, Doug Christie calls a timeout and they come over to the bench. I say, ‘Yo, we don’t pay to watch you not play defense.’ Then Zach LaVine looks at me and says, ‘Then go home, n****.’” From there, Carter said he refused to back down. “I started letting him have it. I was like, ‘No, I pay to be here! You go home! You’re getting paid over $40 million, you only got eight points, and we’re in the fourth quarter. You didn’t show up! Once again, you didn’t show up!’” Clutch Points | Nov. 28, 2025

The Milwaukee Bucks have conducted background due diligence on Zach LaVine and others around the league, as usual, sources told HoopsHype. However, nothing is imminent as Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo nears a return from a low-grade adductor strain. Should Milwaukee’s interest in LaVine become more serious, it’s worth noting that Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma and Kings Governor Vivek Ranadive both invested in a new women’s professional sports venture called Major League Volleyball, and Kuzma has been linked to the Kings via trade rumors for several seasons.  HoopsHype | Nov. 26, 2025

Still relatively early, but is there a level of frustration? Zach LaVine: Yeah, I mean, I can speak for myself. It’s frustrating because we’ve got a lot of talented guys on the team — guys that care and are competitive. But it’s something we’ve got to work through. You don’t want it happening now at Game 8, and you definitely don’t want it later in the season. At least we have time to look at some film and try to fix it. Yeah, I mean, it’s frustrating. It just doesn’t feel good to get your ass whooped by 25–30 the last couple games. YouTube | Nov. 10, 2025

Jason Anderson: The Sacramento Kings are listing Domantas Sabonis (ribs) as questionable for Friday’s NBA Cup game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Zach LaVine is not listed on the injury report after missing Wednesday’s game vs. the Golden State Warriors due to back soreness. x.com | Nov. 7, 2025

The Kings could be without two of their top stars when their Northern California rivals visit Golden 1 Center on Wednesday. Sacramento guard Zach LaVine (back) and center Domantas Sabonis (ribs) are listed as questionable for their upcoming game against the Golden State Warriors, though Malik Monk, who has missed the Kings’ past two games for personal reasons, is available. Sabonis appeared to be dealing with an injury to his side in the first quarter of Sacramento’s loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday night, but he still played 37 minutes and recorded a 13-point, 17-rebound double-double. NBC Sports Bay Area | Nov. 5, 2025