SACRAMENTO — The Kings are making a bold move as they look to bolster their backcourt depth ahead of the new season. Nine-time All-Star Russell Westbrook has agreed to a deal with the franchise, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. The decision comes after weeks of quiet talks between the two sides. As the news of the Kings signing Russell Westbrook spreads, so do the questions about how this reshapes the roster.
Kings Sign Russell Westbrook And Who Gets Cut
A Veteran Presence Joins the Kings
Westbrook, the 2017 MVP, enters his 18th NBA season with a wealth of experience. The 35-year-old guard declined his player option with Denver this summer, making him an unrestricted free agent. He appeared in 75 games last season for the Nuggets, averaging 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists. He also shot 44.9% from the field and 32.3% from three.
The Kings signing Westbrook didn’t come out of nowhere. Sacramento had maintained contact with Westbrook all offseason. He already shares connections across the organization — from his bond with Domantas Sabonis to his history with BJ Armstrong on the agency side. There’s also mutual respect between Westbrook and both Scott Perry and Doug Christie.
Westbrook’s Career Milestones
Westbrook’s résumé speaks for itself. He owns the NBA record for triple-doubles with 203. He’s also one of only two players ever — alongside LeBron James — to surpass 25,000 points, 8,000 rebounds, and 8,000 assists. With 26,205 career points, he sits just 506 away from passing Oscar Robertson as the highest-scoring point guard in league history.
He also ranks eighth in career assists. Another 75 assists would make him only the eighth player in NBA history to reach 10,000. Few active players can match the weight of his numbers.
How He Fits in Sacramento
The Kings have struggled with bench production. Last season, they ranked 28th in bench points and 29th in bench assists. Westbrook may not be the athletic dynamo he once was, but he remains one of the best second-unit playmakers in the league.
Sacramento already added Dennis Schröder in a sign-and-trade, Dario Šarić in a swap involving Jonas Valančiūnas, and signed Drew Eubanks. Now, with the Kings signing Russell Westbrook , they strengthen one of their weakest areas without sacrificing any players.
Who Could Be the Odd Man Out
The Kings now have 15 players under standard contracts. That gives them little flexibility, and not much room to maneuver beyond Westbrook’s signing. While they don’t need to trade anyone to finalize the deal, someone may eventually lose minutes in the rotation.
Sacramento is betting on experience, leadership, and production from a player who has seen every corner of the league. Westbrook’s energy and pace could reshape their second unit and give the Kings more lineup options in crunch time despite his obvious flaws.
A Calculated Gamble
Westbrook turns 37 in November, but Sacramento sees value in his voice, tempo, and résumé. This signing is about adding the right kind of veteran to push a team in flux forward.
Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
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