Kings vs. Magic: LaVine’s Sacramento debut, trade talks, injury news, 3 things to watch
Zach LaVine is expected to make his Kings debut against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
A lot has changed since the Kings played their last home game Jan. 22. De’Aaron Fox, a franchise cornerstone over the past eight seasons, was traded to the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday as part of a three-team deal that sent Kevin Huerter to the Chicago Bulls while bringing LaVine to Sacramento.
There could be more changes to come with Thursday’s NBA trade deadline fast approaching. The Kings still need to add size and depth on the wing if general manager Monte McNair and assistant general manager Wes Wilcox can get a deal done before the deadline.
The Kings (25-24) are coming off a 116-114 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the final game of a grueling six-game road trip. Despite losing four of the first five games on the trip, the Kings have moved up to eighth in the Western Conference, 2 ½ games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the No. 6 seed.
The Magic (24-27) has lost four in a row and nine of its last 10 after suffering a 104-99 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Monday. Orlando is eighth in the Eastern Conference, 1 ½ games behind the Miami Heat for the No. 6 seed.
Here are three things to watch in Wednesday’s game.
Zach attack
LaVine appeared in only 25 games last season before undergoing season-ending surgery on his right foot. He is in the midst of a resurgence this season, averaging 24.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists while shooting career highs of 51.1% from the field and 44.6% from 3-point range.
The Kings are 24th in the NBA in 3-point shooting at 34.6%. That should improve with a lineup featuring Malik Monk, LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis.
Interim Kings coach Doug Christie has not indicated if LaVine will start right away. LaVine hasn’t played sine Jan. 27. He missed his last two games for Chicago due to personal reasons as he and his wife, Hunter, were reportedly expecting their third child.
Reunited
DeRozan and LaVine spent three years together in Chicago from 2021-2024. The Bulls won 46 games to finish sixth in the Eastern Conference in 2021-22 before finishing ninth the past two seasons.
DeRozan cleared up some misconceptions about his relationship with LaVine in an exclusive interview with The Sacramento Bee, describing him as a “brother.” DeRozan also walked back recent comments about reconsidering his future in Sacramento in light of Fox trade talks, saying the addition of LaVine “would ease anybody’s mind, and the relationship I have with him makes it that much better.”
Scouting Orlando
The Magic is led by Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs.
Wagner is averaging 24.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists. Banchero averages 22.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists. Suggs, who is doubtful with a left quad contusion, is averaging 16.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
Orlando is 30th in the NBA in 3-point shooting at 30.2%.
Magic at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -4.5
Over/under: 218.5
Injury report
Magic: DOUBTFUL — Jalen Suggs (quad). OUT — Mac McClung (G League); Moritz Wagner (knee).
Kings: OUT — Isaiah Crawford (G League); Colby Jones (G League).
