NBA Insider Reveals Kings' Plans for Zach LaVine

Fear not, Kings fans - there is next to no chance LaVine touches the above figures. However, with those numbers in mind, LaVine has plenty of reason to wait for a month, then come to the table and begin negotiations so they can work off the columns on the right. At worst, he will have higher dollar values and percentages of the salary cap to work from in negotiations. 

The Kings, on the other hand, seem to lack the urgency to extend LaVine for other reasons. Amick notes that “if [the Kings] are going to pay that sort of freight, it’s quite clear, it will be for a younger player who can be a long-term part of their picture.”

This is a damning quote. First, a literal reading of that quote shows that the Kings do not see LaVine as a long-term part of their future. This is not exactly a glowing postmortem on the return the previous regime received in return for their franchise cornerstone just 4 months ago. 

We have previously written on LaVine’s extension and how optics can play a large role in extensions following trades. Dejounte Murray’s extension after being traded to Atlanta has numerous parallels to the situation with LaVine. Murray went to Atlanta in a deal that saw the Hawks part with three first-round picks - a hefty price to pay for a borderline All-Star guard, not unlike Sacramento parting with their homegrown star in exchange for LaVine. 

Importantly, Murray is a Klutch Sports client - the same agency that represents LaVine. They are clearly familiar with these circumstances and, in all likelihood, will raise the point of optics surrounding failing to lock up the main return of a franchise-altering trade. 

There may well be other reasons for Sacramento’s lack of urgency as well. The draft is obviously in full swing, and the Kings have another selection tonight. They have a very important decision to make on their team option for Keon Ellis, which must get done by June 29. 

If they have not already, they will then shift to negotiating with unrestricted free agents Jake LaRavia and Trey Lyles to try and bring back some size and versatility. Shortly thereafter, they will be able to negotiate with free agents from other teams, meaning they can pursue Dennis Schroder, Tyus Jones, and others. And, possibly most importantly, they will be negotiating Keegan Murray’s rookie extension in early July. 

If nothing else, Amick’s report makes it clear that the new front office has a vision for how they want to reshape this roster. They would clearly like to get younger, and extending a 30-year-old player into his mid-30s does not fit that bill. Scott Perry and co clearly have a busy next few days and weeks, and things can certainly change in the coming days, but this report casts at least a little doubt on LaVine’s long-term future in Sacramento.