LaVine with 22, five rebounds on 15 shots vs. POR

After attempting nine shots in Saturday’s blowout loss to the Grizzlies, LaVine got up 14 on Monday. Fantasy managers will be pleased with his efficiency: LaVine shot over 50 percent from the field and made five of nine three-point attempts. With the Kings handing the keys to Darius Acuff Jr., there have been nights when LaVine and Domantas Sabonis (9/7/4/1) don’t get the touches they want. That can be a challenge for fantasy managers, especially if neither LaVine nor Sabonis gets moved before the February trade deadline.

LaVine is good to go after being listed as questionable on the initial injury report. He’ll occupy his usual place in the Kings’ starting lineup.

LaVine is dealing with right elbow inflammation. He hasn’t missed a game this season, but if that changes, Malik Monk could take on a bigger role, whether he starts or comes off the bench.

Fantasy managers rostering Sabonis received solid returns in rebounds and assists. However, the Kings center took just five shots on Saturday, matching his season low. Sabonis is averaging 9.2 attempts per game, his fewest since 2018-19. Zach LaVine (11 points, one assist) attempted nine shots on Saturday. With rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr. having the ultimate “green light,” it will be interesting to see how vets like Sabonis and LaVine adjust.

LaVine has scored at least 22 points in each of Sacramento’s first four games, and against the Spurs, he made 70 percent of his shots from the field. With this being a contract year for LaVine, the question is whether a strong first half of the season will put him on the radar of contending teams heading into the February trade deadline. If so, joining a team with meaningful basketball to play in March could preserve LaVine’s fantasy value.

After scoring 50 points in Sacramento’s first two games, LaVine recorded his first 30-point game of the season on Sunday. He was efficient, shooting 52 percent from the field. Sunday’s performance was an excellent way for LaVine to end Week 1, as the Kings begin a three-game Week 2 in San Antonio on Tuesday.

After injuries limited him to 39 games in his first full season with the Kings, LaVine looked completely healthy on Wednesday. Without him and fellow veteran Domantas Sabonis, the Kings would have fared worse, but they still lost the opener 121-96. As long as he stays healthy, LaVine should return to being a reliable fantasy asset. The question is whether a good first half of the season would convince a contending team to acquire him before the February trade deadline.

In an unsurprising move, LaVine exercised his player option for the 2026-27 season, as he is set to make just over $49 million. Given the youth of Sacramento’s roster, the veteran guard’s role for next season is unknown. What is reportedly known is that the front office is not willing to put its long-term financial future at risk by waiving LaVine and stretching his contract. The contract makes LaVine a challenging player to move, which would not have been the case had he not picked up the player option. When at his best, LaVine can offer middle-round value in standard fantasy leagues. However, due to the Kings’ current position as a rebuilding team and LaVine coming off a season in which he played 39 games, his draft value may be knocked down a few rounds.

LaVine opting into the final season of his contract is unsurprising, as he will make a base salary of $49 million, a figure he was unlikely to match in free agency. The question now is where he fits within the Kings’ rebuild. Between the selections of Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud in last summer’s draft, and Darius Acuff Jr., Alex Karaban and Emanuel Sharpe last week, the franchise is clearly looking to build around its younger players. LaVine getting his usual offensive volume likely would not mesh with that, but his contract may be challenging to move if the Kings wanted to go that route.

Due to a right fifth finger injury, LaVine missed Sacramento’s final three games before the All-Star break. Apparently, the injury is more serious than the Kings may have let on, as the guard will reportedly undergo season-ending surgery after the break. LaVine, who appeared in 39 games and averaged 19.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.7 steals and 2.5 three-pointers, has a player option for next season worth nearly $49 million. As for how his absence affects the Kings in the short term, rookie Nique Clifford has moved into the starting lineup and should remain there for the rest of the season.