It’s been four years since Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine was last named an All-Star. For a 30-year-old player, that would seem to mark the end of a prime that saw him matching records set by league legend Michael Jordan. Yet, when looking at LaVine’s numbers, there’s no indication that he’s truly fallen off.

Has Zach LaVine Played His Final Game For Sacramento Kings?

Across his two All-Star seasons, he averaged 25.8 points and 4.7 assists per game on .491-.404-.851 shooting splits. He posted averages of 23.4 points and 4.2 assists per game on .491-.402-.841 shooting splits over the three following seasons. In 2025-26, he’s been given the ball less, the Kings buying into the notion that he’s an empty calorie player. As a result, he’s averaging 19.2 points and 2.3 assists per game on .479-.390-.880 shooting splits. With that being said, LaVine’s decision to opt for season-ending hand surgery (h/t NBA on Prime insider Chris Haynes) at the start of All-Star Weekend raises a serious question:

Has he played his final game for Sacramento?

Zach LaVine, The Scapegoat

LaVine has never been known for his defense. So, the fact that he landed in Kings head coach Doug Christie’s doghouse because he wasn’t guarding his yard is unsurprising. It’s also ridiculous.

That’s not just because it makes little sense to punish an athlete for being the player that they were when they were signed or traded for. It’s also due to the reality that Sacramento couldn’t rely on DeMar DeRozan‘s defense, either.

DeMar DeRozan’s Weaknesses Are More Problematic

At least LaVine was capable of bending defenses with his 3-ball and thriving without it.

DeRozan’s strengths and play style not only require him to have the ball in his hands to be at his best but he shrinks the floor. On top of that, Kings general manager Scott Perry has routinely mentioned wanting an athletic roster. LaVine’s explosiveness doesn’t show up enough when he’s on defense. Nevertheless, he stretches opposing defenses vertically, not just horizontally.

Rather than DeRozan being asked to come off the bench though, it was LaVine. Ultimately, the 12-year veteran was their scapegoat. That became even more clear with Christie’s other rotation decisions.

Russell Westbrook’s Usage, Precious Achiuwa’s Starts

There’s been high variance in Russell Westbrook‘s performances, underscored by a true shooting percentage (.533) that ranks 12th on the team. Yet, Westbrook has Sacramento’s highest usage rate (25.9%). It’s as if Christie thinks the oft-beleaguered ball-handler is leading the NBA’s top-ranked offense, not one that’s 29th.

One could even point to Christie’s utilization of Precious Achiuwa, who’s started in 32 games this season. Sure, Achiuwa plays better defense than LaVine. Unfortunately, that difference is muted when he’s a quasi-non-factor on offense, averaging 7.1 points per game and shooting 29.6% from 3. It’s just taking away one problem and creating another.

The Last Word On Zach LaVine’s Future With Kings

Typically, professional athletes are proud people.

This is important because if LaVine does feel slighted, then it’s possible that he’ll push for a trade in the offseason. In fact, his desire to end his season now could be considered a chess move. By focusing on his health, he’s maximizing the chance that he’ll play at a high level in 2026-27. On the one hand, this should make him a more desirable target for prospective teams. However, it could also lead to him getting a pretty good offer next summer. With his contract expiring in 2027, he just needs to be on a team that values him more and is more competitive than the Kings.