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Zach LaVine’s uncertain future with the Sacramento Kings has been the subject of speculation for months, but contrary to recent reports the Kings are not considering a buyout, a league source told The Sacramento Bee.
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The Kings expect LaVine to compete and play well in the final year of the five-year, $215.2 million contract he signed with the Chicago Bulls in 2022. LaVine could have pursued opportunities elsewhere, but he chose to exercise his $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season.
Assuming he isn’t traded, which is highly unlikely given his exorbitant salary, LaVine will play out the final year of his contract in Sacramento before becoming an unrestricted free agent. Taking LaVine’s salary off the books will give general manager Scott Perry much-needed financial flexibility and salary cap relief.
The Kings could have parted ways with LaVine this summer to hasten that process, but their options were not ideal. A direct buyout would be difficult due to LaVine’s massive salary, and the Kings have been reluctant to use the stretch provision, which would allow them to waive LaVine and pay what he is owed over three years.
Rumors of a buyout were renewed after ESPN 1320’s James Ham made a hypothetical remark while discussing LaVine’s situation with Damien Barling and Kenny Caraway on Thursday’s episode of the “D-Lo & KC” show.
“When Zach LaVine accepted that $49 million, he accepted the reality that he is nearly untradeable, and that any trade that would happen should happen now, and if he’s going to get bought out, it should happen now, because after this it’s not advantageous for anybody,” Ham said.
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A number of sports media sites and fan blogs took that to mean the Kings were contemplating a buyout, generating stories about possible destinations and LaVine’s potential fit with other teams. Unfortunately for all parties, perhaps, that will have to wait until next summer.
LaVine, 31, has averaged 20.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists over 12 seasons since coming out of UCLA as the 13th pick in the 2014 NBA draft. The Kings acquired him as part of the three-team trade that sent De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs in February 2025.
LaVine had an outstanding season with the Bulls and Kings in 2024-25. He averaged 23.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 51.1% from the field and 44.6% from 3-point range in 74 games.
Last season, LaVine appeared in only 39 games before undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right pinky finger. He averaged 19.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 47.9% from the field and 39% from beyond the arc.
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This story was originally published August 2, 2026 at 12:15 PM.