Could Russell Westbrook’s Next Big Move Be a Surprising Homecoming to the Kings?

As the leaves start to turn and we edge closer to tipping off the 2025-26 NBA season, talk is buzzing around Russell Westbrook possibly donning a Sacramento Kings jersey. It’s an intriguing prospect — the nine-time All-Star connection with the Kings isn’t just rumors swirling in the wind; ESPN’s Shams Charania spilled the beans on “NBA Today,” highlighting a healthy dose of mutual interest. The Kings, who struggled mightily with bench production last year, are clearly eyeing Westbrook to add some punch — not to mention the web of relationships he already has within the squad, from Domantas Sabonis to Dennis Schröder. At 37, Westbrook’s past his peak but still packs enough firepower and savvy, having carved out solid contributions in Denver just last season. Sacramento’s bolstered backcourt, anchored by Schröder, might find the perfect jigsaw piece if Westbrook signs on, giving them a sturdier roster for the grind ahead. Whether or not this union happens before the Kings tipoff against Phoenix on October 22 is yet to be written, but it’s a storyline worth following closely. LEARN MORE

Will Russell Westbrook sign with the Kings? That certainly appears to be an option as the 2025-26 NBA season inches closer.

There is notable mutual interest between Sacramento and the nine-time All-Star, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Friday on “NBA Today.”

“I’m told there is strong mutual interest between Russell Westbrook and the Sacramento Kings,” Charania said. “The Kings have a need for a reserve point guard. They were 29th in bench points, 29th in bench assists last season. Russell Westbrook helps with that and he has got relationships across that organization. Domantas Sabonis, he’s close with, played with him.He played with Dennis Schröder as well.

“DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, they have LA ties as well. B.J> Armstong, the new assistant general manager there. He knows B.J. 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 season or during the upcoming year.”

Westbrook’s decorated resume speals for itself, with an NBA MVP and two scoring titles to his name. While the 37-year-old guard is a ways removed from his prime, Westbrook appears to still have plenty left in the tank after serving as a vital cog in the Denver Nuggets’ rotation during the 2024-25 NBA season.

Westbrook averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game in 75 appearances for Denver in his last campaign, shooting 44.9 percent from the floor and 32.3 percent from deep.

The Kings signed Schröder to a three-year contract that likely slots him into Sacramento’s starting point guard role, but the addition of Westbrook could prove to be a vital step in insulating the team’s backcourt for the marathon that is the NBA season.

Sacramento opens the regular season on the road against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 22. Whether or not Westbrook will be in a Kings jersey by then remains to be seen, but it certainly is something to keep an eye on going forward.

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