Despite speculation about his future, Zach LaVine is not expected to walk away from the final year of his contract with the Sacramento Kings.
LaVine holds a $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season, and according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, neither the veteran guard nor his representatives are interested in giving up that kind of money simply to test free agency.
“[Zach LaVine and his agency] are not leaving that money on the table,” Amick said. “So, he’s not opting out.”
Instead, Amick explained that LaVine’s camp has explored the possibility of finding another team willing to pursue a sign-and-trade arrangement, which could allow him to opt out and sign a new deal elsewhere under different terms.
“The only question was … they essentially were green-lighted to explore other scenarios, where if Zach and his camp could find a team that was interested enough to do a sign-and-trade, then you opt out, presumably [sign] at a lower number … and do a deal that way.”
According to Amick, the Kings have been open to that possibility, but no viable pathway has emerged so far.
“That scenario, the Kings have been amenable to,” he continued. “I just haven’t heard of LaVine’s camp having any luck with those scenarios. That doesn’t mean they don’t exist. But that, from a process standpoint, is how Zach and his people have been attacking this.”
As things stand, LaVine’s most likely outcome remains exercising his player option and staying under contract rather than entering unrestricted free agency.
“But he’s absolutely not just choosing to get his freedom and then opting out and jumping into free agency,” Amick said.
Kings Notes: LaVine, Achiuwa, Offseason, More https://t.co/IofZyWiGHJ
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) June 18, 2026
