The Sacramento Kings are facing some tough questions as they head deeper into the season. Despite a roster that includes some serious firepower, the team has struggled to find consistency - and the losses are starting to pile up.
That rocky start has sparked real chatter around the league that Sacramento could be on the verge of hitting the reset button. And at the center of that conversation?
Zach LaVine.
According to reports, the Kings are expected to explore trade options for LaVine before the NBA trade deadline. That’s not exactly a shocker given how things have unfolded.
LaVine, who came to Sacramento last season in the three-team deal that sent De’Aaron Fox to the Bulls and involved the Spurs, has shown flashes of the scoring talent that made him a two-time All-Star. But while the offensive numbers are there, the concern - and it’s a big one - lies on the other end of the floor.
Word around the league is that Kings GM Scott Perry sees LaVine as a major factor behind the team’s defensive struggles. Sacramento currently ranks near the bottom of the NBA in both points allowed per game and defensive rating.
That’s not the kind of company you want to keep if you’re trying to contend in the West. And according to reports, Perry has been vocal behind the scenes, pointing to LaVine’s defensive lapses as a key reason for the team’s slide.
Now, with the trade deadline looming, LaVine’s name is heating up in league circles. NBA insider Evan Sidery has linked the Milwaukee Bucks as a team to watch. The Bucks are reportedly shopping Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis in search of a difference-maker - and LaVine is firmly on their radar, along with Michael Porter Jr.
LaVine’s offensive game still commands respect. In 23 games this season, he’s averaging 20.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.
That kind of production doesn’t go unnoticed, especially for teams looking to add scoring punch for a playoff run. But he’s currently sidelined with an ankle injury and has missed the Kings’ last three games - a setback that could complicate trade talks in the short term, but likely won’t cool interest entirely.
What’s clear is that Sacramento is at a crossroads. The front office has some big decisions to make, and LaVine’s future is right at the heart of it.
If the Kings do move him, it won’t just be about clearing cap space or shaking up the locker room - it’ll be a signal that this team is ready to pivot and build around a new core. And with the deadline drawing closer, the clock is ticking.