LaVine recently exercised a $49 million player option for the 2026-2027 season, which would be the final year of his five-year, $215.2 million contract signed in 2022. The size of that deal has made potential suitors hesitant, creating a limited market for a player of LaVine’s caliber. As a result, the Kings are expected to continue exploring trade possibilities as general manager Scott Perry works to overhaul a roster that is aging and expensive.
If Sacramento cannot land a favorable deal before the trade deadline, LaVine’s expiring contract would come off the books next summer, providing the Kings with substantial salary-cap relief. This strategic benefit is a key factor in the ongoing discussions surrounding his future with the team.
LaVine has dealt with a hand injury in the 2025-2026 NBA campaign, which limited him to 39 regular-season games. Despite the setback, he remained a productive offensive player for the Kings, averaging 19.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game before undergoing season-ending surgery on his right hand. Looking ahead, LaVine will be 32 years old next season and has not appeared in the playoffs since 2022.
The Kings concluded the 2025-2026 season with a 22-60 record, finishing 14th in the Western Conference, a result that underscores the urgency to retool around a core that can more consistently compete at a high level.
In other potential moves, Sacramento is reportedly eyeing additions at center to help bolster interior depth and rim protection. One target discussed in the offseason chatter is Mitchell Robinson, who recently helped his team win a championship. Acquiring Robinson would require the Kings to make salary-cap adjustments, possibly by moving veteran players to create the necessary financial flexibility. Robinson is characterized as a high-energy, rim-running center who excelled on the boards, averaging strong rebounds and efficient field-goal shooting in limited minutes.
To sign a player like Robinson, Sacramento might consider trading a veteran center such as Domantas Sabonis, who is set to earn around $45 million next season. Any move of this nature would hinge on the Kings’ ability to balance competitive aspirations with the financial realities of the current roster.
Robinson posted solid averages, including 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in roughly 20 minutes per game, leading the Knicks with 4.2 offensive rebounds per game and shooting an efficient 72.3% from the floor.
The coming months will reveal how aggressively the Kings pursue veteran upgrades and whether they choose to pivot around LaVine, pivoting to younger pieces, or pursue a different path entirely. As the team evaluates its long-term timeline, the focus remains on constructing a competitive roster that can return to the postseason and contend for a higher standing in the Western Conference.
Note: This summary reflects reported offseason discussions and does not rely on any single source.
