Zach LaVine: “I’m very happy with where I’m at right now”

A key point in the Sacramento Kings 2024-25 NBA season was their decision to trade franchise point guard De’Aaron Fox in a three-way deal that sent Chicago’s Zach LaVine to California’s capital as the primary return.

While a play-in exit was certainly not what LaVine or the Kings had in mind at the time of the move, the dynamic 6’5 scoring guard only pariticapted in 32 games for the Kings and ten with Domantas Sabonis.

Plenty of questions exist surrounding the organization’s future — as Scott Perry has been announced as replacing former general manager Monte McNair — but LaVine expressed his gratitude and contentment with the Kings during Thursday’s exit interivews.

“This city loves basketball. I’ve known that for a long time growing up in Seattle,” he said.

“Sacramento fans are some of the best that at least I’ve seen since I’ve been here and how devoted they are and, as players, especially in teh situation I’m in, you want to give them what they deserve and the product that they deserve. So, something that I’m looking forward to and going into the offseason… but we want to go out there and compete and be ready.”

With two years remaining his deal — $44.5-million next season and a $47.5-million player option in 2025-26 — he could potentially decline the option and discuss a contract extension with his new NBA home. When asked about that possibility earlier this week, LaVine said that he’s “very happy with where I’m at right now and with the team that just traded for me, obviously is a team that values me.”

“That’s something that I’ve always put very high,” he continued. “If this is going to be an organization that’s going to build with me and with us and we’re going to go in the right direction, why wouldn’t I want to be in a place like this? From what I’ve seen in these 25 games, even if we didn’t end the season the way we wanted to, I would be crazy if I didn’t say I want to be in Sacramento.”

Domantas Sabonis said that he’d prefer to be heard when it comes to the roster construction, but LaVine took the approach of letting the front office handle what they get paid to do while he focuses on the on-court production he and his teammates are able to accomplish.

When questioned on how they can continue to improve to a consistent playoff contender or better, he pointed towards consistency.

“I think you just need to find some consistency. Players, coaches, (a) firm direction of what we want to go into and guys that really want to go out there and get it. I think that’s the only way that you can do that.”

Barring a major change under new GM Perry, LaVine is expected to be a member of Sacramento’s core moving forward and the dynamic guard seems glad to be somewhere where he is wanted and appreciated by not only the fanbase, but the organization as well.

More Kings coverage on Sactown Sports

The Sacramento Kings have needed two-way wing/forward depth for years now, making their Jake LaRavia acquisition at the deadline of the 2024-25 season an impactful addition.

Due to the Memphis Grizzlies declining the fourth-year team option on his rookie deal put them in a limited position, only able to offer a starting salary of roughly $5-million in any negotiations. But, it also set him up to reach unrestricted free agency with those limitations, compared to the restricted market that would have taken place had they picked up the option.

That reality factored into Memphis’s decision to trade LaRavia at the deadline, when he ultimately became a member of the Kings.

Read More:

Jake LaRavia: “I could definitely see myself back here in Sac”

What’s next for the Sacramento Kings?

The Sacramento Kings will head into an uncertain offseason that could once again bring widespread change in the coming weeks and months.

Sacramento will need to determine whether interim head coach Doug Christie will retain the position moving forward, while also looking to hire a new general manager after parting ways with 2022-23 Executive of the Year winner Monte McNair.

Once the Sacramento Kings lock in their head coach and front office leader, they will need to improve a roster that is unlikely to hold a first-round draft pick in June (owed to Atlanta as part of the 2023 Kevin Huerter trade).

Several members of the current roster, including All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis and future Hall of Fame forward DeMar DeRozan, are expected to meet with the organization to gauge their future.

Can this current core be salvaged? Is it time to rebuild? What’s the best path forward for the Beam Team?

Buckle up for a busy offseason in Sacramento.

Upcoming schedule for the Sacramento Kings

• Sunday, April 20th – Start of the NBA Playoffs
• Monday, May 12th – NBA Draft Lottery
• Wednesday, June 25th – 2025 NBA Draft
• Monday, June 30th – NBA free agent negotiations can begin
• Sunday, July 6th – NBA free agents can officially sign with teams
• July 10th-20th – Las Vegas NBA Summer League
• August TBD – Release of 2025-26 regular season schedule
• September TBD – Start of NBA training camps for the 2025-26 season

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