Sacramento Kings coach Doug Christie speaks at Media Day, fielding questions about his future ahead of training camp beginning Sept. 30, 2025. By Hannah Ruhoff and David Caraccio
Russell Westbrook offered an emphatic response when asked if he plans to play for the Sacramento Kings in Wednesday’s season opener against the Phoenix Suns.
“Hell yeah,” he said.
Westbrook appeared at the team’s Golden 1 Center practice facility Sunday to address the media for the first time since signing with Sacramento on Thursday. The 36-year-old point guard said there’s one thing about joining the Kings that intrigues him the most.
“The doubt that everybody has against us,” he said.
Westbrook admitted he arrived in Sacramento with a chip on his shoulder following a summer of uncertainty. Westbrook enters his 18th NBA season as a former MVP, a future Hall of Famer and the league’s all-time leader in triple-doubles, but the only known contract offer he received was a non-guaranteed one-year, $3.6 million deal with the Kings.
“To be honest, it’s really been like this my whole career, so it’s nothing new unfortunately,” Westbrook said. “I’m grateful and I’m blessed for the doubt, the indecision, the (questions about) if I can and will play. I know what I’m capable of when given the opportunity, and when the season starts, given the opportunity, I’m going to do what I’ve always done and go out and compete.
“There are going to be people who love it. There are going to be people who hate it. That’s life for me. I didn’t make it 18 years on accident. I’m grateful to still be here standing and given the opportunity to go out and compete, so I’ll do the same thing I’ve been doing. And, yes, the chip is still on my shoulder, and it won’t go nowhere until I’m done playing.”
Kings general manager Scott Perry believes Westbrook epitomizes the six pillars he has set forth to define the team’s identity, saying he is competitive, tough, team oriented, accountable, disciplined and professional.
“Russell embodies the identity we’re striving for in Sacramento,” Perry said in a press release when the signing was announced. “His resume speaks for itself and I’m excited to work with someone so accomplished, who is fully committed to competing and winning. We expect him to strengthen our point guard position and provide leadership both on and off the court.”
Westbrook said he is excited to join a team that features Dennis Schroder, Zach Lavine, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis, Malik Monk, Keon Ellis and rookie first-round draft pick Nique Clifford. Westbrook is expected to serve as Schroder’s primary backup at point guard.
Whatever role he fills, Westbrook looks forward to lighting the beam and feeling the love from Kings fans who used to “talk a lot of mess to me” as a visiting player.
“I think fans are one of the reasons why I love to play the game,” Westbrook said. “It’s one of the reasons why I continue to go out and give everything I have. Being on the road side, I know how great this fan base can be. I’m excited to be able to get out there and have them on our side, on my side, and feed off their energy, and then, yes, ultimately light the beam when the opportunity presents itself.”
Westbrook, the 2016-17 NBA MVP, is a nine-time All-NBA selection, a nine-time All-Star and a two-time All-Star Game MVP. He led the league in scoring twice, led the league in assists three times and was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
Westbrook was worn No. 0 and No. 4 throughout his career, but No. 0 belongs to Monk and No. 4 is retired in honor of franchise legend Chris Webber. Westbrook will wear No. 18 in Sacramento.
Why?
“Year 18,” he said. “Other numbers I wanted weren’t available. The process for me to find another number took me a second. I was trying to figure it out. I’m always about something that’s significant and makes sense for me, and this is the only one that connects with something that has some value to me.”