Despite being in trade rumors for several weeks, it appears Zach LaVine will remain with the Kings beyond Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.
But, perhaps not for long after that.
Lavine intends to pick up his $48.9 million player option for the 2026-27 NBA season, The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported in a column published Tuesday, citing a league source.
“This was widely assumed to be the case, of course, and has everything to do with the fact that he’s not expected to be moved by the deadline,” Amick wrote.
LaVine’s $47.5 million salary this season, in addition to his option next season, seemingly has made it difficult for a trade to transpire.
The 30-year-old sharpshooter was traded to Sacramento at last year’s deadline in a three-team deal that moved former Kings franchise point guard De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs.
In 37 games this season (35 starts), LaVine has averaged 19.8 points on 48.3-percent shooting from the field and 39.5 percent from 3-point range, with 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 32.0 minutes.
Now, it appears the Kings will wait until this offseason to reopen negotiations with teams for a potential LaVine trade.
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