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Veteran guard Russell Westbrook is still looking for a new home in NBA free agency after playing the 2025-26 season as a member of the Sacramento Kings.
It remains to be seen when, or if, Westbrook will be signed, but one league scout doesn’t think he should be.
NBA Scout Says he ‘Wouldn’t Touch’ Russell Westbrook in NBA Free Agency
New Orleans Pelicans v Sacramento Kings
New Orleans Pelicans v Sacramento Kings
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Russell Westbrook #18 of the Sacramento Kings dribbles the ball during their game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Golden 1 Center on March 05, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
One particular NBA scout explained to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel why he would advise teams to avoid Westbrook at this point in his career.
“I wouldn’t touch him in a million years. You can’t rely on him in terms of what’s going to happen. Yeah, he’ll have, you know, great games. Sure. But he can’t shoot. He plays his own way. He’s not going to fit into a system. He doesn’t really defend,” the scout said.
“I mean, yeah, he’ll put up some numbers and he’ll win you some games. In terms of truly building a winning team, you don’t get him on your team.”
Westbrook is still a productive player statistically. He averaged 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per performance for the Kings last season. It is fair to question how positively he impacts winning at this point in his career though, as he’s spent the past several years bouncing from team to team.
Ultimately someone will likely sign him to provide some backcourt depth, but that’s not guaranteed to happen. There is a possibility that we’ve already seen the last of Westbrook on an NBA court.
This story will be updated.
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