Zach LaVine’s move to the Sacramento Kings wouldn’t grab headlines, even if it signifies the end of an era in his pro career. Given how massive Luka Doncic’s shocking trade to the Lakers was, it’s understandable if his move to join DeMar DeRozan in the Sacramento Kings was brushed under the table.
However, the move poses an interesting question on the Kings’ ability to compete in a crowded Western Conference. While they’re barely in the play-in standings with their 24-22 record, the likes of the Warriors and Spurs put their position in jeopardy.
Moreover, Chicago’s previous experiment with LaVine and DeMar DeRozan doesn’t hold plenty of promise for a Kings squad that was surprisingly competitive under Fox and Domantas Sabonis’ leadership a year ago.
The team’s performance in their new-look roster doesn’t provide a better picture. If there’s one thing Sacramento hoops fans can look forward to, it’s LaVine’s eagerness to play his heart out close to home.
Zach LaVine is excited to play for the Sacramento Kings
LaVine promised the world during his introductory press conference, promising that he’ll play his heart out for Sacramento.
Per the Associated Press:
“They take time to come here to watch the game, spend their hard-earned money to watch and cheer on the team,” LaVine said at his introductory news conference, days after he was traded from the Chicago Bulls. “I’m going to be right there with them and do everything I can for the city.”
He also noted that he is eager to play for the team, thinking that he was going to play there in 2018 before the Bulls matched Sactown’s offer:
“I’ve been a fan of (the Sacramento Kings) for a long time,” LaVine said. “I thought I was going to sign here six years ago. I’ve had a good relationship with a lot of guys who played here and I understand the culture here from me being from the West Coast.”
LaVine will bring some much-needed scoring to the Sacramento roster. The 29-year-old averaged 24.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in his final 42 games for Chicago. Doug Christie’s squad badly needed scoring, and he’ll be able to provide that in spades.
While his performance during his Kings debut (13 points on 4/13 shooting, one rebound, three assists, and one steal) left a lot to be desired, he’s shown enough quality over the years to be a reliable building block.
While he’s a worthwhile addition, it remains to be seen if the front office made the right decision to blow their roster up for LaVine in an already-crowded West.
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