If you’re still picturing Zach LaVine in a Chicago Bulls jersey, you’re living in the past. Honestly, things changed fast. Right now, as of early 2026, Zach LaVine plays for the Sacramento Kings. He’s been out in California for about a year now, ever since that massive three-team blockbuster that sent De'Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs.
It was a shocker.
Most people didn't see the Kings as the landing spot. But here we are. He’s currently the highest-paid player on the Kings' roster, pulling in a cool $47.5 million this season. If you've been following the box scores, you’ve probably noticed his numbers are still solid, even if the team's record is... well, it's a work in progress.
The Current Situation in Sacramento
LaVine is 30 now. He’s in his 11th season, and the high-flying dunker we knew in Minnesota has evolved. He’s still a bucket, don’t get me wrong. This season, he’s averaging roughly 20.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. He’s shooting nearly 40% from three, which is why teams are still calling the Kings' front office.
But here is the thing. The Sacramento experiment hasn't exactly turned them into a powerhouse. They've been struggling near the bottom of the Western Conference. Because of that, everyone is asking the same question: how much longer will he actually be there?
He has a massive player option for $48.9 million for the 2026-27 season. Most league insiders, like Jake Fischer, think he’s almost certain to pick that up. Why wouldn’t he? It’s a huge payday, and the market for 30-year-old guards with his injury history and contract size is pretty thin.
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Why Everyone Is Talking About the Milwaukee Bucks
If you look at the news today, you'll see one team mentioned more than any other: the Milwaukee Bucks. They are desperate. Giannis is still Giannis, but they need more scoring punch.
Rumors surfaced just a few days ago, around January 13, 2026, that Milwaukee is eyeing a deal to bring LaVine to Wisconsin. The proposed package reportedly involves Cole Anthony, Bobby Portis, and Kyle Kuzma. It’s a "win-now" move for a Bucks team that has slipped to 11th in the East.
"Milwaukee would be choosing to push forward, accepting risk to remain relevant... Sacramento would be acknowledging its current path has run its course."
That’s basically the vibe around the league right now. Sacramento wants to hit the reset button, and Milwaukee needs a spark. But until a trade call actually happens, who does Zach LaVine play for? Still the Kings. He’s still wearing purple and black, even if he’s got one foot out the door.
What Most Fans Miss About the Bulls Trade
It’s kind of wild to look back at how Chicago made out in all of this. At the time, people thought the Bulls got "fleeced." They traded their franchise cornerstone for what looked like a bunch of role players.
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Guess what? Chicago looks pretty smart right now. By moving LaVine to Sacramento, they cleared a massive amount of cap space. They got:
- Tre Jones (who’s been killing it off the bench)
- Zach Collins
- Kevin Huerter
- Noa Essengue (their 2025 first-rounder)
The Bulls have actually been more flexible and, in some ways, more fun to watch without the heavy ISO-ball that sometimes came with LaVine. Josh Giddey has thrived in that system now that he doesn't have to defer to a high-volume scorer every single possession.
Is He Heading to Atlanta?
There was also a weird rumor about the Atlanta Hawks. Since Trae Young’s future in Atlanta is basically a giant question mark, some fans were pushing for a LaVine-for-Young swap.
It sounds fun on NBA 2K, but it hasn't gained much traction. Reports from early January suggested the Kings actually blocked some of those Eastern Conference talks because they wanted to see if LaVine could mesh with Domantas Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan. Spoiler alert: it’s been a bit clunky.
The Injury Factor
We have to talk about the left ankle. It’s been bothering him. He missed nine games recently because of a sprain, and since coming back, his shooting has been a little shaky—around 29% from deep over his first few games back.
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When he’s healthy, he’s one of the smoothest scorers in the world. When he’s not, that $47 million contract looks like an anchor. That’s the reality of the NBA in 2026.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to keep track of LaVine's status through the rest of the season, keep an eye on these specific triggers:
- The February Trade Deadline: This is the big one. If he isn't traded to the Bucks or a dark horse like the 76ers by then, he’s finishing the year in Sacramento.
- The Player Option: Watch for news around June. If he declines it (unlikely), he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
- The Injury Report: Check for "left ankle" tags. His trade value fluctuates wildly based on whether he's actually on the floor.
So, to wrap it up: as of today, January 18, 2026, Zach LaVine plays for the Sacramento Kings. He’s their primary scoring option alongside Sabonis, but with the Bucks circling like sharks, that could change before you even finish your morning coffee.
For now, just enjoy the buckets. Whether he's in Sacramento or Milwaukee, the man can still put the ball in the hoop better than almost anyone else when he's "on." Just don't buy a Kings jersey quite yet—maybe wait until the trade deadline passes.