Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine is widely expected to exercise his $48.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season, according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick.

The decision would keep LaVine under contract for another year while guaranteeing him one of the largest salaries in the league.

Amick indicated that there is little expectation that LaVine and his representatives would walk away from that amount of money in free agency.

“They are not leaving that money on the table, So, he’s not opting out”, Amick said about LaVine and his representation during a recent appearance on SacTown Sports.

While opting into the final year of his contract remains the most likely outcome, Amick noted there is at least one alternative path being explored.

The Kings have reportedly granted LaVine permission to investigate potential sign-and-trade opportunities around the league.

Such a move would require the veteran guard to decline his player option, agree to a new contract at a lower annual salary, and then be dealt to another team as part of a sign-and-trade arrangement.

According to Amick, Sacramento would be willing to cooperate if a favorable situation emerged that benefited both LaVine and the organization.

However, no viable sign-and-trade framework has materialized so far, making an opt-in decision appear to be the most realistic scenario at this stage.

Unless another team presents a compelling opportunity in the coming months, LaVine is expected to remain with the Kings and collect the full value of his player option for the 2026-27 campaign.

Zach LaVine Expected To Pick Up $48.9M Option; Kings Open To Sign-And-Trade https://t.co/DnBuZU5owx