The Sacramento Kings fell in the Play-in Tournament, and their 2024-25 season is finished. They fired general manager Monte McNair right away following the loss. The team has been locked in mediocrity for far too long, and it is time for the organization to change that. Drastic adjustments may be necessary this offseason, as the NBA trade deadline transaction for Zach LaVine did not improve the squad.
In fact, selling LaVine just months after acquiring him could be the right decision for the Kings. When the Kings moved De’Aaron Fox, they did not receive a plethora of draft picks because they added a marginal All-Star guard replacement, but it has now been shown on two different teams that LaVine and DeMar DeRozan lack championship-caliber potential. Perhaps the Kings can regain some selection picks during the upcoming offseason. A new front-office leadership might be prepared to make the required changes. If Sacramento did move LaVine, a deal with the Miami Heat may make sense.
Zach LaVine had a revival this season, averaging 23.3 points per game and shooting a career-high 51.1% from the field. Prior to the season, he was considered borderline untradeable due to a lousy contract and injury difficulties, but he performed well enough to boost his trade worth. This resulted in him being transferred to the Kings.
However, the Kings lack a championship core, and they may be better suited burning things up and embracing a complete rebuild. Because LaVine is under contract for three more years at $44 million or more per season, he will not want a large trade package. That contract may deter some clubs, but the Heat should consider trading for him because he can be obtained for a low cost.
Miami is looking for a third star after being forced to trade Jimmy Butler. LaVine would give the missing scoring punch that the club requires. The UCLA graduate is a top three-point shooter and dunker in the NBA. This suggested deal allows the Heat to exit a terrible contract in their own right, since Duncan Robinson is paid far more than he should be. His 3-point shooting would be missed, but LaVine is probably more lethal from deep and contributes far more elsewhere than Robinson.
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