Zach LaVine is looking forward to the upcoming season with the Sacramento Kings after an injury limited him to 39 games last season.
“I’m super excited. It’s unfortunate that I had the injury last year, even the season we had, we started off very well. I started off well. But for standards for myself, I have them extremely high so I’m looking forward to this year,” LaVine said, via ClutchPoints.
LaVine averaged 19.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 31.4 minutes per game for Sacramento during the 2025-26 season. He shot 47.9% from the field, 39.0% from three-point range and 88.0% from the free-throw line.
His 39 appearances were his fewest in a full season since 2017-18, making his availability one of the major factors heading into the new campaign.
The Kings finished 22-60 last season, while also undergoing significant changes to their roster. Sacramento waived DeMar DeRozan in July, while Russell Westbrook, Drew Eubanks, Doug McDermott and Killian Hayes also departed.
The organization has instead focused much of its offseason on adding younger talent and creating greater financial flexibility.
Sacramento selected Darius Acuff Jr. with the No. 7 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and later added Alex Karaban at No. 29 after acquiring the selection from the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Kings also drafted Emanuel Sharp in the second round.
The team re-signed Precious Achiuwa and Daeqwon Plowden while adding Ben Simmons on a one-year veteran minimum contract. Jonathan Mogbo and Adam Flagler were signed to two-way deals.
Domantas Sabonis remains under contract after playing only 19 games last season because of injury. He averaged 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists in those appearances, while shooting 54.3% from the field.
LaVine also remains with Sacramento after opting into his $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season. His return gives the Kings an established scoring option alongside Sabonis as the franchise looks to develop its younger players.
The Kings will enter the season looking to improve on their 22-win campaign, while LaVine will aim to stay healthy and return to a larger role after missing more than half of last season.
