Zach LaVine tried to get the last laugh on Sacramento Kings teammate De’Andre Hunter, but the veteran forward was ready with a comeback of his own. Before Hunter’s media session alongside Leaky Black, LaVine stopped by to stir the pot, bringing up their old battles from Hunter’s days with the Atlanta Hawks.
“Ask his a** about how he used to guard me in Atlanta,” LaVine said, via Sean Cunningham of ABC10.
Zach LaVine playfully roasted by De'Andre Hunter before today's media session alongside Leaky Black.
LaVine: "Ask his ass about how he used to guard me in Atlanta."
Hunter: "I didn't, I used to guard a better player in DeMar. That's usually who I guarded – the best player. Not… pic.twitter.com/CBzzdKf3Ho
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) November 10, 2026
Hunter did not take the bait. Instead, he flipped the joke right back on his teammate, taking a playful shot at LaVine while giving some love to one of LaVine’s former Chicago Bulls teammates.
“I didn’t, I used to guard a better player in DeMar. That’s usually who I guarded, the best player. Not Zach,” Hunter said.
The jab was a nod to DeMar DeRozan, who teamed up with LaVine in Chicago from 2021 to 2024. During that stretch, the Bulls and Hawks met regularly as Eastern Conference foes, and according to Hunter, DeRozan was usually the one he was tasked with slowing down.
It was a rare lighthearted moment for a Kings team that has had very little to smile about this season. Sacramento dropped to 1-9 after a 114-108 loss to the Miami Heat on Sunday, playing without star big man Domantas Sabonis, who sat out with left knee soreness.
Both players held their own in the defeat. LaVine scored 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting, while Hunter added 14 points. Darius Acuff Jr. led the way with 32 points and 10 assists, but Giannis Antetokounmpo and Klay Thompson combined for 52 points to help Miami pull away.
Article Continues BelowHunter is in his first full season with the Kings after arriving from the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team deal before last season’s trade deadline. His debut campaign in Sacramento was cut short after just two games, as he needed season-ending eye surgery after taking a hit to his left eye.
LaVine, meanwhile, has been with the Kings since February 2025, when he was traded from the Bulls.
At least the two seem to be enjoying each other’s company despite the losing. The Kings will try to snap their skid when they host the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, and LaVine will probably want to let his play do the talking this time.

