SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Zach LaVine had a message for fans as he prepared to make his Sacramento Kings debut Wednesday night against the Orlando Magic.
He’s passionate. He doesn’t take this opportunity for granted. And he’s going to do everything he can to win.
“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.”
LaVine, the No. 13 pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2014 draft, made it clear he has an affinity for his new franchise.
He worked out for the Kings before he was drafted. His family is originally from California and he has a home in Newport Beach.
In 2018, he signed a four-year, $78 million offer sheet with the Kings that the Bulls eventually matched.
Plus, he and Kings interim coach Doug Christie are both from Seattle.
“I’ve been a fan of (the 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, a two-time All-Star, was sent to the Kings as part of a three-team trade with the Bulls and San Antonio Spurs, who received former Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox.
The Bulls received Kevin Huerter from the Kings and Zach Collins and Tre Jones from the Spurs. Jordan McLaughlin went from the Kings to the Spurs, Sidy Cissoko went from the Spurs to the Kings and the Kings also get six future draft picks — three first-rounders and three second-rounders.
Kings general manager Monte McNair called LaVine an “incredible talent,” a shot-maker and “somebody who puts his stamp on the court.”
LaVine is averaging 24 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 34.1 minutes over 42 games. He ranks fifth in the league in 3-point percentage and has the highest percentage among players with at least 100 made 3s this season.
He’s reuniting in Sacramento with DeMar DeRozan, who spent three seasons with the Bulls. They look forward to playing with each other in the Western Conference.
“It just shows you how crazy this business works and how it comes around full circle,” DeRozan said. “I am excited for the guys who will play with him and I am excited for the fans to see what he is capable of doing.”