The Sacramento Kings, provided that they don’t make any major moves this offseason, are expected to once again be a middling team in the 2025-26 NBA season. They have several high-level talents, but like the Phoenix Suns, they lack any sort of a cohesive roster.

Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, and DeMar DeRozan, the centerpieces of the team, have all had limited playoff success and have all been dealt their fair share of disappointment. 

New general manager Scott Perry has long made it clear what he thinks of players on massive salaries with lackluster track records.

“No question that Zach LaVine can score the basketball,” Perry said in a 2023 interview, when LaVine was with the Chicago Bulls. “Does he impact winning? Zach LaVine has been to one playoff series in nine years. He’s played a total of four playoff basketball games. I’m looking at $40, 43, 46, and 49 million for a guy who, to this point, has not impacted winning to the level that his money says he should impact.”

Perry was recently asked about those comments, with speculation running wild about whether LaVine and he had an awkward exchange. Perry doubled down, reminding reporters that LaVine has never really had any team success, but that isn’t his own fault. 

“It’s my job now to help put pieces around him and others to enhance his ability to start winning,” Perry said earlier this week at a press conference.

Since 2018, LaVine has averaged a stellar 24.5 points and shot 39.6 percent from 3-point range, and could be a solid player on a winning team, although the Timberwolves, Bulls, and Kings have never put him in that position. 

Check out the Inside the Kings homepage for more news, analysis, and must-read articles.

Related: New Kings GM Set to Make Pivotal Coaching Decision Soon

Related: New Kings GM Reveals Goal For Team After Disappointing Season