Feb 4, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine (8) during a free throw in the second quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
Ahead of the 2026-27 season, the Sacramento Kings are seen as an afterthought in the West. They went 22-60 last year and failed to get notably better. So, with nobody else to step up, the burden ultimately falls on the remaining veterans to make something good of this upcoming campaign.
For star guard Zach LaVine, it’s been a struggle just to stay healthy, but he’s determine to keep a more positive perspective. In a recent media interview, the 31-year-old shooting guard opened up on the hand injury recovery and what we can expect from him after a few down years.
“I had a little hand injury, but every year for me, I go into the offseason, I see what I can do better,” said LaVine in a chat with ClutchPoints. “I see how I can try to help the team and what what role or what area I’m gonna be fitting in. Obviously, they going to put you in a role that’s best case for you. But 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 was the 13th overall pick in 2014 and he rose to prominence right away in his first few years with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Eventually, however, he was traded to the Bulls, where he eventually found his way to Sacramento after two All-Star appearances. Today in the aftermath of a relatively modest campaign (19.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game on 47.9% shooting),
“Yeah. I think if you don’t have something to prove to yourself or anybody, you’re being very complacent,” LaVine added. “I think I’m my biggest critic. So if anything, I have something to prove myself every year.”
LaVine has been long criticized for his one-sided game and selfish tendencies on the court, which played a role in his departures from the Timberwolves and Bulls. Even the Kings grew tired of his antics, with GM Scott Perry aggressively pursuing a trade for the veteran swingman.
But with no takers in sight, the Kings have resigned to running it back with LaVine, and nobody is quite sure what to expect. If he can stay healthy, the conditions could be perfect for him to have a historic redemption arc. Better yet, alongside Domantas Sabonis, Darius Acuff Jr., Keegan Murray, and Ben Simmons, he may yet lead the Kings to a surprising upset in the West.
For now, it’s still too early to say how this upcoming season will pan out, but don’t expect the Kings to just roll over. With no incentive to tank, and a culture to build, the Kings are very much in the business of competing, and LaVine could be their ticket back to playoff contention. At the very least, his play could give the Kings an opportunity to recoup some assets in a trade while offloading one of their most expensive contracts.