Zach LaVine Trade Rumors: Kings Need to Be Incentivized to Take Bulls Star’s Contract

The contract of Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine may prevent the Sacramento Kings from heavily pursuing a trade.

According to Anthony Slater and Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Kings need to be “incentivized” to add him in a trade. LaVine has three seasons left on a five-year, $215 million extension that he signed in 2022 (via Spotrac). This includes a $48.9 million player option for his 2026-27 campaign.

Slater and Amick also noted that Sacramento still has “some level of interest” in acquiring LaVine.

Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer reported on Friday that the Kings were the “most likely” suitor for LaVine, as they’ve been “active” in exploring trade opportunities involving Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter.

After making consecutive All-Star appearances for the Bulls in 2021 and 2022, the 29-year-old was unable to lead Chicago to a playoff appearance in 2023 before suiting up in a mere 25 games during the 2023-24 season due to foot and ankle injuries.

In his 25 appearances, LaVine averaged 19.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game on 45.2/34.9/85.4 shooting splits. He recorded just 3.9 assists each night, representing the lowest mark since his 2017-18 campaign.

It’s not difficult to see why the Kings aren’t interested in moving a large amount of assets to acquire LaVine given his declining production, injury issues, and contract. Sacramento also has a shooting guard on a long-term deal after bringing back Sixth Man of the Year finalist Malik Monk on a four-year contract worth $78 million.

As for the Bulls, they appear to be on the verge of a rebuild after trading defensive-minded guard Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for 21-year-old Josh Giddey.

A potential LaVine trade to the Kings doesn’t appear to be off the table by any means, but there are still some hoops to jump through.