Few NBA careers have followed a path quite like Zach LaVine’s: from high-flying dunk contest champion to max-contract cornerstone to trade asset — all before his 30th birthday. On February 2, 2025, the Chicago Bulls sent LaVine to the Sacramento Kings in a three-team deal that also moved De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs, according to ESPN.
Age: 31 (born March 10, 1995) ·
Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) ·
Weight: 200 lb (91 kg) ·
Position: Shooting guard / Small forward ·
College: UCLA ·
Current team: Sacramento Kings
Quick snapshot
- Traded to Sacramento Kings on February 2, 2025 (ESPN)
- 2× NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (2015, 2016) (Basketball Reference)
- Signed 5-year, $215.16 million contract with Bulls in 2022 (Spotrac)
- Exact trade compensation beyond Fox, Huerter, Collins, Jones (FOX 32 Chicago)
- LaVine’s long-term role in Sacramento’s rotation (FOX 32 Chicago)
- Trade deadline deal completed February 2, 2025 (ESPN)
- LaVine joins Kings backcourt; Bulls rebuild with younger core (Yahoo Sports)
The key facts about Zach LaVine’s player profile are gathered below — eight data points that define his build, draft class, and current team.
| Full name | Zachary LaVine |
|---|---|
| Born | March 10, 1995, Renton, Washington |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Position | Shooting guard / Small forward |
| College | UCLA |
| NBA draft | 2014, 1st round, 13th overall by Minnesota Timberwolves |
| Current team | Sacramento Kings |
What happened to Zach LaVine in the NBA?
Timeline of LaVine’s career from draft to Bulls
- Drafted 13th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2014 (Basketball Reference).
- Traded to the Chicago Bulls in 2017 as part of the Jimmy Butler deal.
- Earned NBA All-Star selections in 2021 and 2022.
- Signed a 5-year, $215.16 million max contract with the Bulls in 2022 (Spotrac).
Injury setbacks and recovery
LaVine missed significant time over the past three seasons with foot and knee issues, limiting him to roughly 60 games per year. In 2023–24 he played only 25 games before undergoing season-ending foot surgery. According to ESPN, the injury history made his max contract a sticking point in trade talks.
Trade to Sacramento Kings
On February 2, 2025, Chicago completed a three-team trade with Sacramento and San Antonio. LaVine landed with the Kings; De’Aaron Fox went to the Spurs. FOX 32 Chicago reported the Bulls received Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins, and Tre Jones, plus their own 2025 first-round pick back from San Antonio. The Kings also acquired Sidy Cissoko, per Yahoo Sports.
LaVine’s move ends a seven-year stint in Chicago. For the Kings, it’s an immediate scoring upgrade — he averaged 23.7 points per game in 2024–25 — but the $46 million owed next season plus a $49 million player option for 2026–27 create long-term cap pressure.
What did Zach LaVine get traded for?
Details of the Bulls-Kings trade
The three-team trade shook out in two main legs. Sacramento sent De’Aaron Fox to the Spurs. The Spurs shipped draft compensation and players (Collins, Jones) to Chicago. The Bulls then sent LaVine to Sacramento. ESPN confirmed the deal was finalized just ahead of the trade deadline.
De’Aaron Fox trade to Spurs
Fox, a one-time All-Star and the face of the Kings for eight seasons, heads to San Antonio. He averaged 26.2 points and 5.8 assists in 2024–25. The Spurs gain a dynamic point guard to pair with Victor Wembanyama, accelerating their rebuild.
Assets exchanged
Bulls receive: Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins, Tre Jones, and their own 2025 first-round pick (previously owned by the Spurs). Kings receive: Zach LaVine and Sidy Cissoko. Spurs receive: De’Aaron Fox. The deal also included multiple future draft picks moving to Sacramento, per Yahoo Sports.
Chicago cleared LaVine’s massive contract off its books and acquired three rotation players plus a valuable first-round pick. For a team entering a rebuild, that’s a clean outcome — but it also signals the end of the LaVine- DeRozan-Vucevic era.
Why did the Bulls trade Zach LaVine?
Bulls rebuild strategy
After two consecutive play-in tournament exits and no playoff series win since 2015, the Bulls front office committed to a full teardown. Trading LaVine — the highest-paid player on the roster — was the logical first step. FOX 32 Chicago noted that trade rumors had circulated for over a year before the deal was completed.
LaVine’s contract and performance
LaVine is owed $46 million for the 2025–26 season and holds a $49 million player option for 2026–27. That salary, combined with his recent injury history, made him difficult to move. Bleacher Report reported that Sacramento needed to be incentivized to absorb his contract.
Team direction
The Bulls are now focused on developing young players such as Coby White and Patrick Williams. By reclaiming their 2025 first-round pick, they add another lottery asset to a growing war chest. The trade gives Chicago financial flexibility in future offseasons.
Has Zach LaVine won a dunk contest?
2015 NBA Slam Dunk Contest
At the 2015 All-Star weekend in New York, LaVine defeated Victor Oladipo in the final round with a series of between-the-legs and windmill dunks. He earned a perfect 50 on two of his four dunks.
2016 NBA Slam Dunk Contest
In Toronto, LaVine faced Aaron Gordon in what many consider the greatest dunk contest ever. The duo went to a tie-breaker before LaVine sealed the win with a between-the-legs dunk from the free-throw line. He remains the only repeat champion since Michael Jordan (1987–88).
LaVine’s dunk contest pedigree made him a fan favorite, but it also created outsized expectations for a player whose game evolved into a volume-scoring guard. His highlight-reel reputation may have accelerated the max contract that ultimately made him a trade chip.
What nationality is Zach LaVine?
Birthplace and citizenship
Zach LaVine was born in Renton, Washington, USA, on March 10, 1995. He holds American citizenship. His father, Paul LaVine, played professional football for the Seattle Seahawks as a linebacker.
Family background
LaVine’s mother, Cheri LaVine, worked as a city employee. He has two younger sisters. LaVine is married to model Hunter Marreo, and they have a daughter born in 2022.
Career Timeline
- 2014: Drafted 13th overall by Minnesota Timberwolves
- 2015: Won NBA Slam Dunk Contest
- 2016: Won second consecutive NBA Slam Dunk Contest
- 2017: Traded to Chicago Bulls as part of Jimmy Butler deal
- 2021: Selected to first NBA All-Star Game
- 2022: Signed 5-year, $215.16 million contract with Bulls
- 2025: Traded to Sacramento Kings in multi-team deal
Clarity Check
Confirmed facts
- LaVine was traded to the Sacramento Kings in February 2025 (ESPN)
- He won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 2015 and 2016 (Basketball Reference)
- He signed a 5-year, $215.16 million contract with the Bulls (Spotrac)
What’s unclear
- Exact trade compensation beyond Fox, Huerter, Collins, Jones — multiple reports vary on draft picks exchanged
- LaVine’s long-term role in Sacramento’s rotation, especially with De’Aaron Fox gone
Quotes and Perspectives
Zach LaVine is owed $46 million next season and has a $49 million player option for 2026-27.
ESPN (NBA Insider)
The Bulls received Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins, Tre Jones, and their own 2025 first-round pick back from San Antonio.
FOX 32 Chicago (local reporting)
LaVine’s contract was a major factor complicating trade interest from Sacramento before the deal.
The pattern is unmistakable: a max-contract player with an injury track record commands a complicated trade package. For the Kings, acquiring LaVine means betting on his scoring ability while accepting the financial risk. For the Bulls, it’s a clean break that clears cap space and stockpiles assets.
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For a deeper look at the trade that sent him to the Kings, check out this detailed breakdown of Zach LaVine trade details and his career trajectory.
Frequently asked questions
What is Zach LaVine’s net worth?
Estimated at roughly $90 million, based on his max contract and endorsement deals with Adidas and other brands.
How many points per game does Zach LaVine average?
Career average of 20.9 points per game through the 2024–25 season.
What shoes does Zach LaVine wear?
LaVine wears Adidas, specifically the Adidas Crazy Explosive and later Adidas Don Issue models.
Is Zach LaVine injured?
He missed time in 2023–24 with foot surgery but returned for the 2024–25 season and has been healthy since the trade.
What is Zach LaVine’s vertical jump?
Reported at 46 inches, one of the highest in NBA history.
Did Zach LaVine play college basketball?
Yes, he played one season at UCLA (2013–14) before declaring for the NBA draft.
What is Zach LaVine’s jersey number?
He wears number 8 with the Sacramento Kings, having worn number 8 previously with the Bulls.
For the Sacramento Kings front office, the choice is clear: integrate LaVine as a primary scorer alongside Domantas Sabonis, or face another roster reshuffle in 2026 when his player option looms. For Chicago, the rebuild has officially begun — and they now hold the draft capital to shape their future without the weight of a max contract.
Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Downunder Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.