Carmichael Dave: Zach LaVine is too valuable for Sacramento to make a bad trade

As Zach LaVine prepares to enter the final season of his contract with the Sacramento Kings, questions about his long-term future remain.

But according to Sactown Sports’ Carmichael Dave and Jason Ross, any potential trade involving the veteran guard would have to make sense for Sacramento–not simply clear salary.

LaVine recently exercised his $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season, ensuring he’ll return to Sacramento for his age-31 campaign.

While the Kings could eventually explore moving the former All-Star before the trade deadline, Dave argued the organization has no reason to force a deal.

“This isn’t LaVine a year ago or two years ago,” Dave said. “There’s no reason to just trade him to trade him. He’s a $49 million asset coming off the books at the end of the year, so you have to ask yourself, ‘Well, okay, if you’re going to trade him this year, what are you getting for him?'”

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 06: Zach Lavine #8 of the Sacramento Kings stands on the court during their game against the Dallas Mavericks at Golden 1 Center on January 06, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

More on Zach LaVine

The challenge, Dave explained, is matching Zach LaVine’s salary under the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement. Any team acquiring him would likely need to send back nearly $49 million in contracts, making a deal much more complicated than simply attaching draft picks.

“You can’t get involved in a Zach LaVine bad trade,” Ross added. “The low bar is Zach LaVine plays the year… and then he walks. That won’t even be a failure. You’ll have money on your books for next year, and you got Zach LaVine for one more year.”

Sacramento enters the season with limited financial flexibility as a projected second-apron team, making LaVine’s expiring contract one of the franchise’s most valuable assets.

If the right opportunity presents itself, the Kings could acquire future draft capital or younger players. If not, both hosts believe keeping Zach LaVine is the better outcome than accepting a poor return.

Dave also pushed back on the idea that Sacramento should reduce LaVine’s role in favor of younger players.

“Zach LaVine is either the best or second-best player on the Sacramento Kings right now,” Dave said. “There’s nobody on the team that’s going to have better numbers this year than Zach LaVine, if he’s healthy.”

He added that LaVine, who averaged 19.2 points while shooting 48 percent from the field and 39 percent from three in an injury-shortened 39-game season, should become the focal point of Sacramento’s offense.

Zach Lavine #8 of the Sacramento Kings warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on December 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

“If he’s healthy, Zach LaVine is not only going to play this year, he’s going to play a lot, and he’s going to score a lot of points,” Dave said.

The Kings’ offseason has also ushered in a new era of young talent after selecting Arkansas point guard Darius Acuff Jr. with the seventh overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Sacramento also added Connecticut forward Alex Karaban at 29th and Houston guard Emanuel Sharp with the 45th pick.

Those additions could shape the franchise’s future, but for now, LaVine remains one of Sacramento’s top players and perhaps its most intriguing trade asset.

Whether he finishes the season in a Kings uniform or is moved before the deadline, Dave and Jason agree on one point: Sacramento should only make a deal if it meaningfully improves the organization’s long-term outlook.

Listen to The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross from 6 – 10 a.m. PDT, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

What is the next Sacramento Kings Offseason Event?

The start of the 2026-27 season is quickly approaching for the Sacramento Kings.

Sacramento will begin training camp in late September as they prepare to begin preseason play on Monday, October 5th when they face Luka Doncic and the new-look Los Angeles Lakers at Golden 1 Center.

Be sure to stay tuned into Sactown Sports all offseason for roster updates, schedule announcements, analysis, and much more.

Upcoming Sacramento Kings Offseason Schedule

• August TBD – 2026-27 NBA Schedule release
• Late September – NBA training camps begin

Sacramento Kings 2026-27 Preseason Schedule

• Monday, October 5th vs. Los Angeles Lakers (7 P.M. PST)
• Thursday, October 8th @ Los Angeles Lakers (7:30 P.M. PST)
• Saturday, October 10th @ Golden State Warriors (5:30 P.M. PST)
• Tuesday, October 13th vs. Portland Trail Blazers (7:00 P.M. PST)
• Friday, October 16th @ San Antonio Spurs (7:00 P.M. PST)

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