Two of the biggest uncertainties surrounding the Kings heading into the 2026 NBA offseason were stars Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine\u2019s futures with the team.<\/p>\n
However, LaVine has opted into his $49 million player option<\/a> for the 2026-27 NBA season, ESPN\u2019s Shams Charania reported<\/a>, citing the star guard\u2019s Klutch Sports agent, Rich Paul, keeping the two-time NBA All-Star in Sacramento at least for now.<\/p>\n Kings general manager Scott Perry addressed the media on Wednesday and revealed that he anticipates LaVine will play for the team during the upcoming season.<\/p>\n \u201cZach and I have been in communication since the season was over,\u201d Perry said. \u201cWe have a very good relationship and good understanding. Zach is still an excellent basketball player. He knows what\u2019s expected of him. He\u2019s coming back here this year. I\u2019m very clear with him on that. He\u2019ll be the first to tell you that.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I think he\u2019s 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\u2019m looking forward to him taking a step forward with us this year and how we want to play the game.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Perry also is expecting Sabonis to play a big role in Sacramento\u2019s rebuild following a disappointing 22-60 record during the 2025-26 season, despite previous reports that the Kings were in trade talks with the Charlotte Hornets<\/a> involving the three-time NBA All-Star center.<\/p>\n \u201cCome in and compete just like everybody else,\u201d Perry told reporters. \u201cObviously, he\u2019s an excellent player. He\u2019s done it for a while in this league. I\u2019ve been in constant contact with him as well in the offseason. Just expect him to come in here healthy, first and foremost, and he\u2019s trending in that direction.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously, he missed a lot of last year because he was not. He\u2019s always played hard, and so I expect him to do that. Provide some veteran presence for this team and really have a tremendous rebound year and help us build some winning habits here and start heading in the right direction.\u201d<\/p>\n Last season, Sabonis and LaVine missed a combined total of 106 games due to season-ending injuries<\/a>. Sabonis only averaged 15.8 points and 11.4 rebounds per game in 19 appearances, and LaVine posted 19.2 points per game and shot 47.9 percent from the field and 39 percent from 3-point range in 39 contests.<\/p>\n With both players expected to return to the team and currently trending toward full health, the Kings have a solid chance of turning things around from last season, especially with rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr.<\/a> expected to play a big role and a few other role players being added in the mix.<\/p>\n