Kings GM Scott Perry expects Zach Lavine, Domantas Sabonis to remain with team originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Two of the biggest uncertainties surrounding the Kings heading into the 2026 NBA offseason were stars Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine‘s futures with the team.
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However, LaVine has opted into his $49 million player option for the 2026-27 NBA season, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported, citing the star guard’s Klutch Sports agent, Rich Paul, keeping the two-time NBA All-Star in Sacramento at least for now.
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.”
Meanwhile, Perry also is expecting Sabonis to play a big role in Sacramento’s rebuild following a disappointing 22-60 record during the 2025-26 season, despite previous reports that the Kings were in trade talks with the Charlotte Hornets involving the three-time NBA All-Star center.
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“Come in and compete just like everybody else,” Perry told reporters. “Obviously, he’s an excellent player. He’s done it for a while in this league. I’ve been in constant contact with him as well in the offseason. Just expect him to come in here healthy, first and foremost, and he’s trending in that direction.
“Obviously, he missed a lot of last year because he was not. He’s always played hard, and so I expect him to do that. Provide some veteran presence for this team and really have a tremendous rebound year and help us build some winning habits here and start heading in the right direction.”
Last season, Sabonis and LaVine missed a combined total of 106 games due to season-ending injuries. Sabonis only averaged 15.8 points and 11.4 rebounds per game in 19 appearances, and LaVine posted 19.2 points per game and shot 47.9 percent from the field and 39 percent from 3-point range in 39 contests.
With both players expected to return to the team and currently trending toward full health, the Kings have a solid chance of turning things around from last season, especially with rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr. expected to play a big role and a few other role players being added in the mix.
