Kings general manager Scott Perry addressed the media on Wednesday and revealed that he anticipates LaVine to play for the team during the upcoming season.
“Zach and I have been in communication since the season was over,” Perry said. “We have a very good relationship and good understanding. Zach is still an excellent basketball player. He knows what’s expected of him. He’s coming back here this year. I’m very clear with him on that. He’ll be the first to tell you that. “And I think he’s ready to come back and embrace that and perform to the best of his abilities this year. We can use a lot of the things that Zach LaVine is able to do on the basketball field, so I’m looking forward to him taking a step forward with us this year and how we want to play the game.” — 7/9/2026
NBC Sports Bay Area
Barry Jackson:
There has been no contact yet between DeRozan camp and Heat, per source just now. Miami would be among teams of interest to DeRozan, who is being set free by the Kings. Miami's options now include - among others - DeRozan, Beal, Gary Trent. Or the Heat simply could wait on LeBron decision before deciding what wing player to pursue. I expect Heat to try to add another wing; tough call is whether to pounce on one of these players or wait to see if a surprise name shakes free. Mavs -- trying to be playoff contender- don't need to buyout Klay, obvously. And if Kings use waive and stretch on DeRozan (reported to be likely path), they do not necessarily need to do that with Zach LaVine. — 7/6/2026
x.com
A source said some of the bigger guards on Miami’s radar are 6-4 Bradley Beal, 6-3 Anfernee Simons and 6-5 Kentavious Caldwell Pope (who is expected to part ways with the Grizzlies). The 6-5 Zach LaVine could become an option if the Kings waive and stretch the final season (and $49 million) of his contract. And so could.... — 7/2/2026
Miami Herald
The Pistons have maintained their stance that they’re not interested in sign-and-trade scenarios for Jalen Duren and will continue to try to bridge the gap between both sides and get a deal done. Duren and Domantas Sabonis share the same agency, The Team. With Sabonis, 30, naturally looking to compete in the prime of his career instead of beginning a rebuild, and the Kings exploring the trade market for Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan, it’s easy to see why this Duren sign-and-trade scenario would appeal to Sacramento. On paper, however, going from the 22-year-old Duren to the 30-year-old Sabonis, who’s owed $94.08 million over the next two years, isn’t prudent for Detroit. — 7/2/2026
HoopsHype
Shams Charania:
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. — 6/29/2026
Bluesky
LaVine has been the subject of trade rumors and speculation for the past year, but there hasn’t been much of a market for his services due to the size of his contract.
The Kings will continue to explore trade possibilities for LaVine as general manager Scott Perry works to overhaul an aging and expensive roster. If they can’t find a deal before the February trade deadline, LaVine’s expiring contract will come off the books next summer, giving Sacramento significant salary cap relief. — 6/29/2026
Sacramento Bee
Sam Amick: LaVine, I don't have clarity on where he might have some promise, but as we've talked about before, it's he's not leaving that money on the table. So if he can't find a situation, again
it's a mutual thing where his agent Rich Paul and the Kings are working together trying to look at this. If he can't find somewhere to do, one concept was just a sign and trade for a lower number where Zach could get his next spot, his next chapter, but the Kings would need to like what was coming back in return. I'm not aware of anything that's promising on that front." — 6/26/2026
YouTube
Damjan Rudez: 'I cannot accurately describe how immense Andrew Wiggins' potential truly was. Having been on the court with him, I believe he had more raw potential than KAT, Zach LaVine, or 99% of the players I ever played with—even including guys like Paul George.
There was a dunk he had against Atlanta where I swear I was looking at Michael Jordan. He would just rise and keep rising over three defenders. However, he didn't always have the 'motor'—that high-energy drive that separates the superstars from the great players. We used to call him 'Sleepy' because he always looked a bit drowsy, regardless of his performance. While he eventually became an All-Star and a champion, his physical gifts were so otherworldly that they were almost hard for the human mind to process.' — 6/26/2026
YouTube
Other players regarded as potentially available and said to interest Detroit include Charlotte's Coby White, Oklahoma City's Isaiah Joe and possibly even Sacramento's Zach LaVine now that LaVine is heading into the final year of a massive contract with a $49 million player option that carries a June 29 deadline to be activated. — 6/19/2026
marcstein.substack.com
Sactown Sports 1140:
“[Zach LaVine and his agency] are not leaving that money on the table. So, he's not opting out." @sam_amick joined @CarmichaelDave & @JasonRoss1140 to share his intel on Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine's pending $49 million player option: — 6/19/2026
x.com
