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Zach LaVine Opts Into $49 Million Player Option With Kings After Injury-Shortened Season
Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine will pick up his $49 million player option. The decision follows a 2025-26 season shortened by hand surgery and a 22-60 finish that tied for the NBA's worst record.
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Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine is opting into his $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN's Shams Charania on Monday. LaVine's 2025-26 campaign ended before the All-Star break after he underwent surgery on a tendon injury in his right hand.
The Kings stood at 12-44 when the procedure occurred and finished the year 22-60, matching the Utah Jazz for the worst record in the Western Conference.
The team had explored trades involving LaVine and center Domantas Sabonis before the deadline. Sabonis underwent season-ending surgery the same day as LaVine. Also on Monday, the Kings agreed to send guard Devin Carter and a future second-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks.
LaVine averaged 19.2 points across 39 games before the All-Star break. He was acquired by Sacramento in a February 2025 trade from the Chicago Bulls and has posted career averages of 20.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists over 13 seasons. Carter averaged 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 38 games last season.
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