Calling Zach LaVine's run on the Sacramento Kings lackluster might be one of the greatest understatements in the history of basketball. His value has plummeted, leaving this season as his only chance to get some real heat before he's an unrestricted free agent looking for his next team.
LaVine joined the Kings at the wrong time. Arguably, there hasn't been a good time in the past two decades to join the Kings, but he ended up in the worst of them all. He got caught up in the aftermath of the firing of Mike Brown, the departure of De'Aaron Fox, and all the other nonsense in that time.
Now, he's on a rebuilding team with a rookie head coach he really doesn't seem to get along with. All of this combined has pushed LaVine in what might be the worst run of his career. If that's not enough, he's being paid way over market value, making him nearly impossible to trade.
At the end of 2026-2027, LaVine's current contract will expire, and he will be an unrestricted free agent. Based on his performance in Sacramento, finding a team willing to take a chance on him will likely be difficult at best. That's why he has to pull out all the stops this season to make an impression.
LaVine needs to show the NBA he still has value
After starting 2025-2026 on a hot shooting streak, the wheels seemed to come off LaVine's game. Part of the problem was new head coach Doug Christie. He was pushing for a defensive performance from LaVine that he simply isn't capable of while limiting the shooting opportunities he excels at.
If that's not enough, LaVine missed almost 50% of last season due to injuries. It's hard to find a rhythm when you're barely on the court. As such, staying healthy and making the most of the opportunities he is given this season is going to be key to LaVine's next move post-Kings.
He has to get on board with Christie's program, whether he likes it or not. And LaVine has to find his shot, increasing his consistency and volume. The league needs to see a Zach LaVine who can contribute in whatever way necessary if he wants free agency to go well next summer.
Naturally, the Kings would prefer to move him at the trade deadline and get something out of his departure. That may be optimistic. The most realistic scenario for them is that LaVine simply moves on at the end of his contract, unless they figure out how to make this relationship work, of course.
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