The Sacramento Kings have become one of the best teams in basketball, surging up the NBA standings led by All-Stars De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. While the Kings like the development of Keegan Murray, they remain in the trade market and one NBA star is reportedly interested in joining them.
Entering NBA games today, Sacramento is well-positioned to make the playoffs but there’s a lot of room for improvement. The Kings rank 12th in offensive efficiency (1.131), 14th in average scoring margin (+1.0) and 17th in Defensive Rating (114.9).
- Sacramento Kings record: 16-9, fourth in Western Conference and first in Pacific Division
Related: Why Sacramento Kings’ star De’Aaron Fox is a bonafide MVP candidate
The Kings have enough assets, including draft picks and contracts, to acquire an impact player and they’ve been connected to Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby in NBA trade rumors. However, there’s another All-Star who is specifically interested in being traded to Sacramento.
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, not only would Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine be very “amenable” to playing for the Kings but Klutch Sports is also particularly high on Fox and views him as a player its stars could thrive with.
“For all the public focus on the prospect of James and Davis teaming up with LaVine with the Lakers, the overlooked part is that Kings star De’Aaron Fox is a major priority for Klutch Sports these days as well. Per league sources, LaVine would be very amenable to a Sacramento move that would make him Fox’s backcourt mate.”
Sam Amick on the possibility of a Zach LaVine trade to the Sacramento Kings
- Zach LaVine stats 2023-’24: 21 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.4 APG, 0.71 Win Shares per 48 Minutes
What Zach LaVine’s interest means for the Sacramento Kings
LaVine would be an ideal addition to the Kings’ lineup as a scorer. Adding the two-time All-Star selection, who is a West Coast native, would allow Sacramento to make Sabonis its third go-to scorer. With the All-Star big man acting more as a facilitator, setting up shots for Fox and LaVine, the Kings could challenge for the highest-scoring team in the NBA.
However, LaVine’s contract complicates matters. While Sacramento could attach the Harrison Barnes contract (3 years, $54 million) to a deal, adding LaVine’s long-term salary would complicate future contract extensions for Murray and Malik Monk.
- Zach LaVine contract: $40.064 million salary (2023-’24), $43.031 million salary (2024-’25), $45.999 million salary (2025-’26), $48.967 million player option for 2027
Related: NBA power rankings, see where Sacramento Kings land
Fortunately, LaVine’s contract is also viewed as a bit of an albatross to other NBA teams. If the Philadelphia 76ers opt not to pursue LaVine and the Los Angeles Lakers determine there are more cost-effective options, Sacramento could be one of a small number of suitors with both the interest and ability to make a deal.
Anunoby and Siakam are better fits for the Kings, but they are each going to NBA free agents this summer. While it’s still unknown if Sacramento will make a move at the NBA trade deadline, the Kings are in new territory with star players wanting to play for them.
