Sacramento Kings star Zach LaVine -- who was acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bulls this past season -- is looking to lead the team to a playoff run in 2025-26. The Kings were eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament, but they could take a step forward during the upcoming campaign. Following the season -- regardless of the Kings' outcome -- LaVine will have an important contract decision to make.
LaVine has a player option worth around $49 million for the 2026-27 season. He will be 31 next summer, so opting into the contract will certainly be a realistic option. One could argue that LaVine needs to consider opting out if he plays at a high level in 2025-26, though. While writing this in the summer of 2025, LaVine's best decision seems to be opting into the deal.
What Zach LaVine could potentially command in free agency
If LaVine plays well and tests free agency, he would probably receive a two or three year contract at 31 years old. Perhaps a team would give him two guaranteed years with an option for the third season. The chances of LaVine landing a four-year deal may be slim given his age, but a couple of options could make the difference.
If LaVine performs poorly in 2025-26, it is almost guaranteed that he will opt into the contract. Even if he plays well, though, there is an argument to be made that the guaranteed $49 million is more attractive than what LaVine would receive in free agency. Sure, the additional years will interest him since he will be 31 next summer. He won't receive any offers that will guarantee him $49 million for a single season, though.
It is difficult to predict exactly how much money LaVine would command in free agency. $25-$35 million seems fairly realistic if he plays well. However, that money simply is not $49 million for one season. Entering free agency would be a massive risk for LaVine.
The other element of the situation to consider is that LaVine hasn't earned an All-Star selection since 2021-22 with Chicago. He played fairly well in Sacramento after the trade in 2024-25, averaging 22.4 points, 3.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game. He also shot 51.1 percent from the field and 44.6 percent from deep across 32 total contests with the Kings.
Although respectable, those numbers won't lead to more than $49 million per season for LaVine. Unless he shocks the NBA with an MVP-caliber 2025-26 campaign, accepting the player option will prove to be Zach LaVine's best decision next summer.