Zach LaVine Opts Into $49M Contract amid Trade Rumors, Update on Kings' Salary Cap for Free Agency

After being rumored to be a trade candidate during the 2025-26 season, veteran swingman Zach LaVine actually isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, LaVine exercised his $49 million player option on Monday to remain with the Sacramento Kings for the 2026-27 campaign.

Per Spotrac, the Kings were already over the salary cap by $93.3 million, so LaVine's return could force the team to enter the second apron.

It was just a little over a year ago that Sacramento acquired LaVine from the Chicago Bulls as part of a three-team trade that also involved the San Antonio Spurs.

The writing had been on the wall for months that LaVine's time in Sacramento wouldn't last long. The 31-year-old was eligible for a contract extension last offseason, but a deal never came to fruition. The 2025-26 season was the final guaranteed year of his contract, and Sam Amick of The Athletic previously reported that the Kings preferred to pay "a younger player who can be a long-term part of their picture."

After a tough start to the season with just three wins in the first 12 games, rumors began to swirl that Sacramento would kick off a full-scale rebuild by trading their veteran stars like LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis. Instead, none of those players were traded, and LaVine will be sticking around for at least another year.

In 39 games this past season, LaVine performed slightly below his usual level with averages of 19.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists before undergoing season-ending hand surgery in February. The Kings tied for the worst record in the West at 22-60.

LaVine spent his first three seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves before being traded to the Bulls ahead of the 2017-18 campaign. He thrived in Chicago and was selected to the All-Star Game in 2021 and 2022, but he's still searching for team success, as he's played in the playoffs just once.

LaVine will undoubtedly be motivated to help the Kings bounce back from their disappointing season as their rebuild continues.