At 15th in the West (12-44), the Sacramento Kings don’t have much left to play for this season. That’s why veteran guard Zach LaVine felt it was best to seek treatment for his hand in an effort to maintain maximum durability. According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, LaVine is now set to miss the rest of the 2025-26 campaign after agreeing to season-ending surgery.
LaVine, 30, has been limited to 39 games this season due to various setbacks. Most recently, he’s been dealing with a finger tendon injury that has cost him the past three games. With the surgery plans in motion, LaVine has effectively been shut down until next season, when he’s expected to play out the final year of his 5-year, $215.2 million contract.
Despite the Kings’ struggles, LaVine was putting up respectable numbers, averaging 19.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game on 47.9% shooting from the field and 39.0% shooting from three. He’s been one of the few constants in a difficult season, and his absence will only make things harder for the worst team in the league.
With games against the Magic, Spurs, and Grizzlies, the post-All-Star schedule isn’t pretty for Sac-Town, and they will have to rely on guys like DeMar DeRozan, Devin Carter, and Russell Westbrook to carry the team and fill in the gaps. Of course, since they’re already 15 games back from the final play-in spot, the Kings are more focused on the lottery than trying to win now anyway.
As for LaVine, he has a big decision to make this summer. With a $48.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season, he can become a free agent if he opts out. Or, he can play out one more season with the Kings to build up his value before hitting the market.
As a one-sided player coming off season-ending surgery, teams will be hesitant to offer a long-term deal for Zach. But if he can prove his worth as an elite shot-creator, it might just be enough to secure his next NBA job. Ultimately, only time will tell where LaVine ends up, but everything hinges on how he recovers.
Hand injuries can be complicated, but the hope is that this procedure can lower the risk of any further developments. With so much at stake and his future uncertain, LaVine’s focus will be entirely on recovery this summer, and how he responds could set the stage for the next act of his career.
