Zach LaVine Reportedly Won't Get Contract Extension from Kings amid NBA Trade Rumors

The Sacramento Kings are reportedly not planning to sign veteran wing Zach LaVine to a contract extension.

According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, LaVine is eligible for an extension this offseason, but the Kings prefer to pay "a younger player who can be a long-term part of their picture."

The Kings acquired the 30-year-old LaVine from the Chicago Bulls in February as part of a three-team trade that was headlined by Sacramento sending guard De'Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs.

Per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, rival NBA executives are monitoring the Kings' trio of LaVine, Domantas Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan, and it is believed that at least one of them could be traded this offseason or prior to the 2025-26 NBA trade deadline.

After beginning his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves, LaVine was traded to the Bulls in 2017, and he went on to have the most successful run of his career in Chicago.

In parts of eight seasons with the Bulls, LaVine averaged 24.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.7 three-pointers made per game, while shooting 47.4 percent from the field and 39.0 percent from beyond the arc.

LaVine appeared in 32 games for the Kings last season following the trade from Chicago, and he was highly efficient, averaging 22.4 points per contest on 51.1 percent shooting from the floor and 44.6 percent shooting from deep.

The Kings were already struggling through an up-and-down season upon LaVine's arrival, though, and they ended up missing the playoffs with a 40-42 record.

In 2023, Sacramento made its first playoff appearance since 2006, generating hope that a new golden era of Kings basketball was on the horizon.

However, the Kings missed the postseason in 2024 despite posting a solid 46-36 record, and they dipped below .500 last season for the first time since 2022.

The Kings have a veteran-laden roster that is built to win now with LaVine, Sabonis, DeRozan, Jonas Valančiūnas, Malik Monk and Keegan Murray leading the way.

That wasn't enough to get them to the playoffs last year, though, which is why there have been no shortage of rumors and speculation regarding the Kings selling off their vets and entering a rebuild.

Sabonis is the Kings' best trade asset, but if they aren't going to re-sign LaVine, then it probably makes sense to move him first, as he is only guaranteed to be under contract through next season.

LaVine has a player option for 2026-27, meaning he could play out the 2025-26 season in Sacramento, decline the option, hit free agency and leave without the Kings getting anything in return.

While LaVine hasn't done a lot of winning in his career as evidenced by playing in only four career postseason games, his offensive acumen and quality shooting figure to be of interest to contending teams in need of another scorer.