Veteran NBA reporter Chris Haynes revealed on Friday that Zach LaVine, a guard for the Sacramento Kings, is scheduled for season-ending right hand surgery following the All-Star festivities.
The two-time All-Star LaVine was contributing an average of 19.2 points per contest, the highest on his squad, with a 47.9% shooting accuracy from the floor, including 39% from beyond the arc, throughout the current season. This marks his second tenure with Sacramento, having joined them mid-last season in a three-way trade originating from the Chicago Bulls, which also saw De’Aaron Fox, now a two-time All-Star guard, move to the San Antonio Spurs.
This season has seen the Kings squad plagued by numerous injuries. A significant absence was that of center Domantas Sabonis, who was sidelined for a considerable period early in the 2025-26 season because of a partial meniscus tear.
Sabonis, a three-time All-Star, made his comeback prior to the trade cut-off. Throughout the season, he, along with LaVine and seasoned player DeMar DeRozan, had all been subjects of trade discussions.
Despite their dismal 12-44 record at the All-Star break, placing them last in the NBA and on a 14-game losing streak, the Kings opted not to trade any of those prominent players. Nevertheless, General Manager Scott Perry executed a three-team transaction, dispatching Keon Ellis and Dennis Schröder to the Cleveland Cavaliers, acquiring De’Andre Hunter, and transferring Dario Šarić to the Chicago Bulls.
Šarić has since been moved in another trade and subsequently released from his contract.
Concerning LaVine, who is approaching his 31st birthday, he was absent from the last three contests, a situation the team attributed to a “right fifth finger tendon injury.” This problem affecting his shooting hand is said to necessitate a surgical intervention, thereby concluding LaVine’s twelfth professional season.
Prior in the current season, on December 14th, he incurred a left ankle ailment after an unusual landing during a drive toward the basket while playing against his former squad, the Minnesota Timberwolves. This incident led to him missing nine consecutive games.
LaVine possesses a player option worth $48.9 million for the upcoming season. It is anticipated that he will activate this option, though speculation about potential trades is expected to recommence during the off-season period.
Despite being the top scorer for a Kings lineup that lacked balance this season, LaVine’s average of 2.3 assists per game marked a career low. Furthermore, he was collecting fewer than three rebounds per game, marking only the third occasion this has happened in his career and the first instance since the 2015-16 season.
Recognized for his athletic prowess, LaVine gained prominence as a two-time winner of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest during his tenure with the Timberwolves, the team that selected him 13th overall in the 2014 draft. This past Friday commemorated the tenth anniversary of LaVine’s spectacular aerial battle against Aaron Gordon in the legendary 2016 dunk competition.
