yardbarker
The Sacramento Kings appear to be moving on from Zach LaVine, with reports suggesting the veteran guard could be bought out prior to the start of the new season. James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento indicated that the Kings have not provided LaVine with any assurances about his role for the upcoming campaign, fueling speculation about his departure.
LaVine, a 31-year-old former lottery pick, has spent the last season and a half with the Kings, but his performance dipped last year. He averaged 19.2 points and 2.3 assists per game across just 39 appearances before undergoing season-ending surgery on his right hand. Earlier this summer, he exercised his $48 million player option for the next season, a move widely seen as a no-brainer for the player, yet the franchise seems eager to part ways after a dismal 22-60 record.
Key Analysis
The Kings' recent draft selections and young talent in the backcourt make LaVine expendable. They picked 19-year-old point guard Darius Acuff with the seventh overall pick, and 24-year-old sophomore Nique Clifford is also vying for minutes. This logjam pushes LaVine out of the rotation, making a buyout a plausible outcome.
Financially, a buyout would require LaVine to sacrifice a significant portion of his salary, but his 12 seasons of NBA experience allow him to sign a veteran minimum deal with contenders for up to $3.9 million. While he could potentially earn more on the open market, only teams below the luxury tax aprons—rarely playoff contenders—could offer him a larger contract. Several teams have been linked to LaVine in recent seasons, and he could become one of the most intriguing additions to the buyout market this year.
Originally reported by yardbarker.