Right now, Sacramento Kings fans find themselves in a state of uncertainty and growing concern. Confidence in the front office is shaky at best, largely due to a string of questionable decisions and missed opportunities in recent years.
Supporters are anxiously awaiting a sign that the team is headed in the right direction—and for many, the latest rumors involving top veteran star could be that glimmer of hope. Rather than pursuing a contract extension with the high-scoring guard, it appears the Kings are leaning toward moving on from him altogether, a decision that could please a sizable portion of the fanbase.
According to a recent report by Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Sacramento Kings have no plans to offer Zach LaVine a contract extension this offseason. In fact, the team is reportedly open to the possibility of trading him, despite the fact that he’s only been with the franchise for less than a full season.
This development signals a potential shift in Sacramento’s approach as they look to reshape the roster and move away from previous missteps. While LaVine remains a talented scorer, his fit with the team has been questioned, and the front office appears willing to explore other options moving forward.
There’s been quiet speculation for months that the Sacramento Kings might move on from Zach LaVine, but that chatter is now picking up steam—and at just the right time. Sam Amick’s latest report for The Athletic confirms that the Kings are seriously weighing the possibility of cutting ties with LaVine and his hefty contract, signaling a potential shift in the team’s long-term strategy.
According to Amick, the Kings aren’t opposed to spending big money—but they want that money to go toward a younger player who fits into their future plans, not a veteran like LaVine. When they traded for him months ago, Sacramento knew the financial commitment would be steep, but now that they’re staring down the $96.5 million owed over the next two seasons, the front office appears to be reconsidering the cost-benefit balance.
And they should be. Rather than stubbornly holding onto LaVine and hoping things turn around, the Kings are smartly exploring ways to move on. While LaVine’s numbers—22.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game—aren’t bad, they haven’t translated to winning. Sacramento missed the playoffs again, and LaVine hasn’t provided the kind of impact expected from someone with that price tag.
Choosing not to extend him and evaluating trade options is a prudent move. But now comes the tougher part: what the Kings do next. The front office has a spotty track record when it comes to flipping talent, often turning valuable players into underwhelming returns. That’s why fans are nervous that this situation could follow the same path.
A name like Jonathan Kuminga—an athletic, young forward with upside—has been floated as the kind of return that would make sense: a player the Kings could build around alongside Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray. A move like that would signal that Sacramento is not just trying to clear cap space, but actually pivoting toward a sustainable future.
The Kings are finally doing their due diligence with LaVine’s contract, and that’s a positive development. But the real test lies ahead: Can they turn this into a smart, strategic reset after a disappointing year? Fans have every reason to be cautiously optimistic—emphasis on cautious.