Zach LaVine picks up $49 million option for 2026-27

The Sacramento Kings will officially have Zach LaVine back for the 2026-27 season after the veteran guard exercised his $49 million player option, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

LaVine had until Monday afternoon to decide on the final year of his contract, and despite speculation about his future, the expectation throughout the offseason was that he would not leave that money on the table.

The 31-year-old is now set for an important season for both himself and the Kings after an injury-shortened 2025-26 campaign

LaVine appeared in just 39 games but remained one of Sacramento’s most efficient scorers when healthy, averaging 19.2 points per game while shooting 48 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range.

Over the course of his 12-year NBA career, the UCLA product holds career averages of 20.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game on 47/39/83 shooting splits (693 games).

Since being acquired in a blockbuster trade during the February 2025 deadline that sent former Kings star guard De’Aaron Fox to San Antonio, LaVine has appeared in 71 games for Sacramento, averaging 20.6 points per game in those contests (41% 3PT).

Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine is opting into his $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/QjgFOl4iNz

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2026

More on Kings SG Zach LaVine

Speaking at his end-of-season press conference in April, Zach LaVine emphasized that winning remains his top priority as he evaluates the next stage of his career.

“Where I’m at my career is, you know, we want to win,” LaVine said. “It’s not the year that you want individually, but you take the cards that you’re dealt, and you keep moving forward.”

LaVine also acknowledged that his player option gave him flexibility entering the offseason.

“I have a lot of control, you know? Obviously, having player options, you know, it’s a good thing in my camp,” LaVine said. “We’ll go back and look at everything. Look at all the scenarios. Watch the playoffs and see what happens.”

Zach LaVine ultimately elected to pick up the option rather than test free agency, as there had been whispers that the guard and his representation–Klutch Sports–were gauging the market for sign-and-trade possibilities.

Sacramento enters the offseason with limited financial flexibility, as the Kings are currently projected to operate above the NBA’s second apron. This could change in the coming days and weeks if the organization moves on from LaVine’s longtime teammate, DeMar DeRozan, whose 2026-27 season contract is partially guaranteed ($10 million).

DeMar DeRozan #10 and Zach LaVine #8 of the Sacramento Kings hug during their game against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at Golden 1 Center on March 07, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

While Zach LaVine’s decision keeps one of the team’s top scorers in Sacramento, the organization will also have to balance the veteran’s presence with the development of its young talent.

The Kings made three selections in the 2026 NBA Draft, highlighted by Arkansas point guard Darius Acuff Jr. with the 7th overall pick. Sacramento also added Connecticut forward Alex Karaban (29th pick) and Houston guard Emanuel Sharp with the 45th overall selection.

Along with its crop of new rookies, the Kings also have last year’s first-round pick Nique Clifford in the mix for minutes, along with All-Rookie Second Team center Maxime Raynaud and shot-blocking big man Dylan Cardwell on the roster.

Whether he remains a long-term piece of Sacramento’s plans or eventually becomes part of a future trade remains to be seen, but for now, the veteran guard is set to be in a Kings uniform for the 2026-27 campaign.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

What is the next Sacramento Kings Offseason Event?

The Sacramento Kings will now set their sights on the California Classic, with action set to run from July 4th through July 6th at Golden 1 Center.

New Kings point guard Darius Acuff Jr. (7th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft) will go head-to-head against Brooklyn Nets guard Mikel Brown Jr. (6th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft) at 2 pm PT on July 4th, right here in downtown Sacramento.

Be sure to remain locked into Sactown Sports for your Sacramento Kings Summer League news, analysis, and much more!

Upcoming Sacramento Kings Offseason Schedule

• Tuesday, June 30th – NBA Free Agency negotiation period begins (3 PM PT)
• Saturday, July 4th – Monday, July 6th – California Classic at Golden 1 Center
• Thursday, July 9th – NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins
• Monday, July 13th – Free Agency moratorium ends / signings can become official

Sacramento Kings California Classic Schedule

Games played at Golden 1 Center

• Saturday, July 4th – vs. Brooklyn Nets (2 p.m. PT)
• Sunday, July 5th – vs. Golden State Warriors (2 p.m. PT)
• Monday, July 6th – vs. Milwaukee Bucks (7 p.m. PT)

2026 Sacramento Kings Las Vegas Summer League Schedule

• Thursday, July 9: vs. Los Angeles Clippers (8 p.m. PT)
• Sunday, July 12: vs. Washington Wizards (5 p.m. PT)
• Tuesday, July 14: vs. Brooklyn Nets (3 p.m. PT)
• Wednesday, July 15: vs. Boston Celtics (5 p.m. PT)
• Final game TBD

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