Zach LaVine is kind of in a weird spot right now. If you just look at the box scores from the Zach LaVine last 10 games, you might think he’s just another high-priced vet coasting on a struggling Sacramento Kings squad. But honestly? It’s way more complicated than that. He’s navigating a return from a nasty ankle sprain, swirling trade rumors involving the Milwaukee Bucks, and a role that seems to shift every time Russell Westbrook or DeMar DeRozan decides to take over the offense.
He's currently averaging about 18.7 points over this ten-game stretch. That’s a dip from his season average of 20.0, but the context matters. He missed nine games in December with that left ankle issue, and since coming back on January 4th against Milwaukee, he's been trying to find his legs.
The Numbers Breakdown: Finding the Rhythm
It hasn't been all sunshine. Take the January 9th blowout loss to the Warriors—LaVine shot 1-for-7 from deep. It was ugly. You could tell he didn't have that usual lift on his jumper. But then, look at the very next few games. He put up 18 against Houston and 19 against the Lakers on January 12th, shooting a combined 6-for-10 from three.
When he’s on, he’s still that elite floor spacer the Kings desperately need.
A Quick Look at the Game Log
To understand the "vibe" of his recent play, you have to see the volatility. He isn't the 25-point-per-night locked-in lock he was in Chicago, but the flashes are still there.
- Jan 14 vs NYK: 25 points, 5 rebounds (Finally looked like himself).
- Jan 12 vs LAL: 19 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block.
- Jan 11 vs HOU: 18 points, 3-of-6 from deep.
- Jan 9 @ GSW: 15 points (A rough 46.7% from the field, but 14% from three).
- Dec 6 @ MIA: 42 points (The absolute outlier of the month).
That Miami game on December 6th was vintage Zach. He went 8-of-13 from beyond the arc and finished with a 72.8% True Shooting percentage. It reminds everyone why he's making $46 million this year. He can still break a game wide open when his ankle isn't barking.
Why the Trade Rumors Actually Matter
You can't talk about the Zach LaVine last 10 games without mentioning the elephant in the room: Milwaukee. Reports from insiders like Jim Owczarski and various trade mocks have him linked to a move that would send him to play alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Basically, the Kings are in a "reset" mindset. They’re sitting near the bottom of the West, and LaVine’s massive contract is the primary lever they can pull to get younger assets like Cole Anthony or stabilize the rotation with guys like Bobby Portis and Kyle Kuzma.
Does this affect his play? Probably. It’s hard to stay locked in on a 10-30 team when your name is in every "Who's getting moved?" column on the internet. Yet, his efficiency has actually stayed decent. He’s shooting around 46.7% over the last 10, which isn't elite but is a hell of a lot better than most "disgruntled" stars.
The Defensive Dilemma
Let's be real for a second. Zach has never been a defensive stopper. There’s a reason critics like Scott Perry have pointed at him when discussing why Sacramento is struggling defensively. In the Zach LaVine last 10 games, he’s averaged about 0.5 steals and 0.4 blocks.
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He’s trying, sort of. He had a two-steal, one-block game against Dallas on January 6th, which showed he can be engaged when the game is close. But overall, his value is tied to his ability to score 20 points in his sleep. When the shots aren't falling—like that 2-point stinker against Houston back on December 3rd—his lack of defensive impact becomes a massive glaring hole.
Health is the X-Factor
The ankle is the big question mark. After returning on January 4th, he’s played over 30 minutes in five out of six games. That’s a good sign. Head coach Doug Christie seems to trust his conditioning, even if the explosiveness isn't quite back to 100% yet.
He’s still a high-volume shooter, launching at least six triples in three of his last four outings. If you're a betting person or a fantasy manager, you've got to love the volume, even if the consistency makes you want to pull your hair out.
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What's Next for Zach?
If you're following the Kings or just tracking LaVine's career, the next two weeks are crucial. The trade deadline is looming, and his performance in the Zach LaVine last 10 games serves as his "audition" for contenders.
- Watch the Shooting Splits: If he stays above 40% from three over the next five games, his trade value skyrockets.
- Monitor the Minutes: If Sacramento starts scaling him back to 25-28 minutes, a trade is likely imminent to "protect the asset."
- The "Bucks" Factor: Keep an eye on Milwaukee's offensive rating. If they continue to struggle, they might get desperate enough to take on his 2026-27 player option ($48.9 million).
Actionable Insight for Fans: Don't get fooled by the low point totals in blowout losses. Look at his "True Shooting" and his movement off the ball. If he’s still cutting and catching-and-shooting with confidence, he’s healthy. If he starts settling for contested mid-rangers, that ankle might still be a problem.
Keep an eye on the Kings' upcoming schedule against Washington and Portland. These are prime "get right" games for a scorer of his caliber.