Is former 2017 MVP Russell Westbrook’s NBA career already over?
The soon-to-be-37-year-old opted out of his 2025-26 contract with the Denver Nuggets after learning he was going to be slid to a non-rotation bench role, and has yet to find a landing spot in the league.
Generous offers from the Chinese Basketball Association have yet to sway him, as the nine-time All-Star appears to be holding out for his next opportunity in the NBA.
During a Friday appearance on “NBA Today,” Shams Charania of ESPN informed host Malika Andrews that the Kings - who’ve been linked to Westbrook on and off since July - continue to hold a candle for the 6-foot-4 UCLA product.
“Malika, I’m told there is strong mutual interest between Russell Westbrook and the Sacramento Kings. And the Kings have a need for a reserve point guard,” Charania argues. “They were 29th in bench points, 29th in bench assists last season. Russell Westbrook helps with that.”
The real question, of course, is whether adding another non-shooting, past-his-prime athlete who doesn’t play defense is the best use of a roster spot for Sacramento. After signing free agent Dennis Schröder to a lucrative three-year deal this summer, the Kings are moving guard Malik Monk back to their bench. Monk, a perpetual Sixth Man of the Year candidate, is a better shooter and athlete than Westbrook, although Westbrook may be the superior passer and rebounder for his size.
“And he’s got relationships across that organization,” Charania continues. “Domantas Sabonis he’s close with, played with him. He played with Dennis Schroder as well. DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, they have LA ties as well. BJ Armstrong, the new assistant general manager there, he knows BJ Armstrong from the agency side, and he does have respect with Scott Perry, their new general manager, and Doug Christie, their new head coach. We’ll see if a deal gets done before the start of the season or during this upcoming year.”
This story will be updated…
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