After missing nine games due to a moderate ankle sprain, two-time All-Star guard Zach LaVine was back in uniform for the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night.
LaVine, who hadn’t been in action since December 14th, made his return against the Bucks–the team that has been heavily linked to the Kings guard in trade rumors and reports ahead of next month’s NBA trade deadline.
In his first game appearance in almost three weeks, LaVine came off the bench on Sunday, marking the first time since January 8, 2024 (while with the Chicago Bulls), that he was not part of the starting lineup.
LaVine scored 20 points (six-of-12 from the field) and passed out four assists over 35 minutes in the Kings’ latest blowout loss, one that dropped Sacramento to a season-worst 20 games under the .500 mark.
ZACH cuts the lead to four with a SLAM pic.twitter.com/5Xw0xjYJXm
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) January 5, 2026
More on Zach LaVine & his response to trade rumors
While the Kings (8-28) continue to nosedive in the NBA standings as they set their sights on a high pick in this summer’s NBA Draft, Zach LaVine’s return comes at an ideal time as teams around the league gauge whether or not they will make big moves at the trade deadline.
“I feel good. It felt good to get back out there,” LaVine said following his return. “I was able to go out there and give effort. I felt fine. I’ll get more of my rhythm back.”
When asked for his thoughts on the trade rumors–specifically, if his return against the often-linked-Bucks was targeted or a coincidence–LaVine shared his thoughts:
“I think that there’s been trade talks with a lot of teams,” Zach LaVine said. “I don’t think I worry about that. I think that’s your guys’ job to try to put some storylines out there. You can run with them.”
It was an as-expected response from LaVine, who–like most other Kings players and personnel–has been frustrated by Sacramento’s abysmal start to a season that now looks like it’s headed for a high lottery pick.
Moving Zach LaVine and unclogging a current logjam that includes Russell Westbrook, Keon Ellis, Dennis Schroder, and Malik Monk (who registered a DNP-CD on Sunday) would be ideal for first-year Kings general manager Scott Perry, but that will be easier said than done.
LaVine is one of the better pure shooters in the game today, but his bloated contract will make suitors scarce.
If Milwaukee or any other team were to trade for the two-time All-Star, they would also take over the remaining money on this year’s $47.5 million total. LaVine also has a $48.9 million player option for 2026-27, one that he almost certainly will exercise unless he is inked to an extension.
The NBA trade deadline is quickly approaching (Thursday, February 6th at 12 pm PT). Will Zach LaVine be on the move? An answer to that question is just weeks away–but don’t expect to hear much from LaVine about it.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Tuesday, January 6th – vs. Dallas Mavericks – 6:00 PM PT
Friday, January 9th – @ Golden State Warriors – 7:00 PM PT
Sunday, January 11th – vs. Houston Rockets – 6:00 PM PT
Monday, January 12th – vs. Los Angeles Lakers – 7:00 PM PT
Wednesday, January 14th – vs. New York Knicks – 7:00 PM PT
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