Full Breakdown
Sacramento Kings Decline Trae Young Trade, Opt to Keep LaVine
9/9/2026, 12:10:19 PM
Core Event
Kings insider James Ham reported that Sacramento turned down a proposed swap that would have sent Zach LaVine to Atlanta in exchange for Washington point guard Trae Young. The decision was disclosed on the Locked On Kings podcast on December 29, 2023.
Background & Context
After dealing De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs, the Kings received LaVine and began searching for a franchise point guard. The team later explored a potential trade that would have brought Young, a four-time All-Star, to Sacramento. At the time, Young had already been traded from the Atlanta Hawks to the Washington Wizards in January and was expected to negotiate a new contract.
Data & Statistics
- Trae Young contract: ESPN reported that Young agreed in June to a four-year deal worth $212 million (one source cites $212.8 million). The contract includes a player option for the 2029-30 season.
- Zach LaVine contract: LaVine opted into a $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season; his prior season salary was $47 million, with an expected $48 million in 2026-27.
- Domantas Sabonis contract: The Kings’ star big man is under contract through the 2028 season.
- Kings payroll flexibility: Retaining LaVine’s expiring deal would give general manager Scott Perry more cap flexibility than assuming Young’s $212 million extension.
Official Statements & Responses
The organization has also signaled interest in exploring trade options for center Domantas Sabonis but has not pursued extensions beyond his 2028 contract year. No official comment from the Washington Wizards or the Atlanta Hawks was provided regarding the declined swap.
Why It Matters
By rejecting the Young trade, Sacramento avoided committing to a contract that would be roughly four to five times larger than LaVine’s remaining salary. The decision preserves cap space for future moves, including potential roster reshaping around Sabonis and the upcoming 2026-27 season when LaVine’s option expires. Analysts note that the Kings may instead target younger talent, as evidenced by their selection of Darius Acuff Jr. with the seventh pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Contract amount: One source lists Young’s extension as $212 million, while another cites $212.8 million. Both figures are attributed to ESPN reports.
- Other interested parties: No concrete evidence was presented that any team besides the Kings formally received the LaVine-Young package, leaving the full scope of league-wide interest unclear.
What’s Next
The Kings have not announced any forthcoming trade negotiations involving LaVine or Young. Their next major roster decision will likely revolve around the 2026-27 season, when LaVine’s player option expires and the team evaluates its options for the point-guard position and overall roster construction.
