LaVine (hand) is projected to have a new backcourt partner after the Kings selected Darius Acuff with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
LaVine primarily worked alongside Russell Westbrook in 2024-25, the latter of whom is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. LaVine, on the other hand, has a player option worth over $48 million for 2026-27 and figures to exercise it after averaging 19.2 points per game over 39 regular-season appearances last year, his lowest output since 2017-18. Assuming he remains with the Kings, LaVine should have a good chance of having a bounce-back season.