Zach LaVine isn’t sounding like a player ready to mail it in for a rebuilding season.
In a resurfaced FOX40 interview from earlier this offseason, the Sacramento guard made it clear he’s approaching the 2026-27 campaign with energy and optimism, even as the Kings head into the year with limited outside belief. LaVine talked about the grind of his summer work, his recovery, and his excitement about joining a younger group in Sacramento.
"The offseason is going great. Same routine as always with me: let the body recover, start getting into it, getting stronger, getting the legs right.
Just looking to get back out there. My season got cut a bit short last year ... but I'm really excited and looking forward to this new group, younger group, and seeing what we can do," LaVine said.
That matters for a Kings team that needs more than just scoring from him. LaVine chose to opt into his $49 million player option this summer, keeping him in Sacramento for another year, and if the Kings are going to beat expectations, he’ll have to be central to it.
His 2025-26 numbers show what he can still bring when healthy: 19.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 47.9% from the field and 39% from 3-point range. But he appeared in only 39 games before season-ending hand surgery ended his year early. The Kings need him on the floor, and they need him looking like the high-end scoring threat they thought they were getting.
They also need more from him in the locker room.
There was chatter over the last few weeks that Sacramento might add a veteran voice to help guide rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr. and the rest of the young core. Instead, the Kings brought in Ben Simmons, a move that doesn’t exactly solve the leadership question. That leaves an opening for someone already on the roster to take charge, and LaVine is one of the clearest candidates.
Asked whether he has connected with any of the younger Kings this offseason, LaVine’s answer was modest, but he didn’t shut the door on growing into that role.
"I texted Acuff already. I need to reach out to some of the other young guys, but once we get closer to camp, I'll be around and start being able to get my groove on, just vibing with the team and seeing how everything is going.
I'm excited. I think we have a chance to go out there and compete at a high level," he finished.
The Kings have enough young talent to make things interesting, and LaVine’s presence could be one of the biggest swing factors in whether they can surprise people. If he stays healthy, delivers the kind of production Sacramento expects, and leans into the veteran role the team needs, this season could look a lot different than the one most people are projecting.
In Other News...
Kings Passed On A Proven Star And Fans Will Debate Why
The Kings had a chance to take a swing on a proven scorer when the front office considered a trade offer for Trae Young involving Zach LaVine, according to team insider James Ham. It was the kind of decision that can shape a franchise for years, especially for a club trying to find the right blend of star power and financial flexibility in a crowded Western Conference.
Sacramento ultimately passed, with concern over Youngs contract extension demands weighing heavily in the decision. Young later landed with the Washington Wizards and signed a four-year, $212.8 million deal, which only sharpens the debate around whether the Kings were being disciplined or too cautious when the opportunity was there. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Passed On A Major Guard Gamble For A Bigger Plan
The Kings have been sorting through the same broader question that hangs over every team trying to retool on the fly: stay with proven names or keep prioritizing flexibility for the next phase. Sacramento has already explored the possibility of moving former All-Stars Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis, a sign that the front office is at least willing to think big while rebuilding around younger pieces. Against that backdrop, the team also had a chance to make an even louder move at guard, only to turn it down.
Trae Youngs name has hovered in the conversation, but the reported hesitation centered on the price of a long-term extension and what that kind of commitment would mean for the roster the Kings are trying to shape. Instead, Sacramento added Darius Acuff Jr. in the draft, and the early Summer League showing has only added intrigue to a path that looks more patient than splashy. The bigger question now is whether the Kings are finally choosing a direction, or simply keeping every door open a little longer. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Linked To Proven Guard As Point Guard Depth Looms
The Kings have already mapped out their backcourt for the moment, with rookie Darius Acuff Jr. penciled in as the starting point guard and Ben Simmons back as the primary reserve. Still, the search for another steady hand makes sense for a team that could use more depth and insurance at the position, especially if Sacramento wants someone who can handle pressure and keep the offense organized when the rotation gets thin.
Sylvain Francisco has emerged as a name worth watching because he brings real EuroLeague credentials, along with a reputation for scoring and disruptive defensive energy. The French guard has won multiple titles and individual honors overseas, and his rsum suggests a player accustomed to high-level responsibility. The question for Sacramento is whether his smaller frame can hold up defensively against NBA backcourts, but the fit as a bench option is easy to see if the Kings decide to keep adding experience behind their young starter. [Read more 🡒]