Sacramento Kings Star Named One of NBA's Most Overrated Players

Zach LaVine's lack of impact on winning and large contract cited as reasons for his inclusion on the list.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Sacramento Kings have had a rough season, sitting dead last in the Western Conference standings with no hope of making the playoffs. Adding to their woes, one of their star players, Zach LaVine, was recently named one of the most overrated players in the entire NBA by Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz.

Why it matters

The Kings' struggles this season have been exacerbated by the poor performance and large contract of LaVine, who was acquired in a trade prior to the deadline last year. This highlights the team's continued inability to build a winning roster and the challenges they face in finding impactful players.

The details

According to the report, LaVine's lack of positive impact on winning, as evidenced by his career swing rating of minus-3.2, combined with his lucrative contract, are the main reasons he was named one of the league's most overrated players. The report also states that the Kings' decision to acquire LaVine as the main return in the De'Aaron Fox trade was 'one of the most baffling front office decisions of the past few years'.

  • The Kings currently sit dead last in the Western Conference standings.
  • LaVine was named one of the most overrated players in the NBA in a recent Bleacher Report article.

The players

Zach LaVine

A two-time NBA All-Star who was acquired by the Sacramento Kings in a trade prior to the trade deadline last year. However, his lack of positive impact on winning and large contract have led to him being named one of the most overrated players in the league.

Greg Swartz

A writer for Bleacher Report who authored the article naming Zach LaVine as one of the most overrated players in the NBA.

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What they’re saying

“The two-time All-Star has a career swing rating of minus-3.2, registering a negative score in 10 of his 12 NBA seasons. That hasn't stopped teams from paying him, however, as LaVine will have topped over $300 million in on-court earnings by the end of this season.”

— Greg Swartz, Bleacher Report Writer (Bleacher Report)

“His athleticism hasn't translated to any good, sustainable defense, wiping out any advantage LaVine may have given his teams on the offensive end. The Kings choosing to get him back as a main return in the De'Aaron Fox trade remains one of the most baffling front office decisions of the past few years.”

— Greg Swartz, Bleacher Report Writer (Bleacher Report)

The takeaway

The Sacramento Kings' struggles this season have been compounded by their decision to acquire Zach LaVine, who has been labeled as one of the most overrated players in the NBA. This highlights the team's continued inability to build a winning roster and the challenges they face in finding impactful players to turn the franchise around.