Russell Westbrook Joins Sacramento Kings: A Last Dance on a Sinking Ship?

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After several months of speculation and uncertainty regarding his NBA future, veteran guard Russell Westbrook has found a home for his 18th season, signing a one-year deal with the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. The move, coming just under a week before the 2025-26 season begins, places the former MVP on his seventh team and his fifth team in the last six seasons.

Westbrook joins a Kings squad that is a shadow of the playoff team it was just two seasons ago. Last season, the team struggled through massive roster upheaval. Following the acquisition of DeMar DeRozan in 2024, the team shocked the league by trading cornerstone guard De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs in February 2025 as part of a three-team deal that brought in Zach LaVine. The result was chaos: Sacramento finished 40-42 and was eliminated in the Play-In Tournament.

A Star-Studded, Yet Troubled Roster

Westbrook’s arrival adds another high-profile name to a roster already brimming with recognizable, yet seemingly mismatched, talent. Last season, Westbrook proved he still has value, playing 75 games for the Denver Nuggets and averaging 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds on efficient shooting splits. His energy and veteran presence could be a boon, but he is stepping into an environment rife with uncertainty:

Frontcourt Crisis: The Kings lack depth in the frontcourt, compounded by the significant injury to Keegan Murray, who is expected to miss three to six months while recovering from a UCL tear in his thumb.
Sabonis Uncertainty: Star big man Domantas Sabonis, signed through the 2027-28 season, is rumored to be a player the front office might look to move, especially after the team failed to find sustained success following his arrival in 2022.
The LaVine Conundrum: Acquired midway through last season, Zach LaVine remains the most difficult piece to trade due to his massive contract, which pays him $47 million this season with a player option for $\$48$ million next season. Despite averaging 22.4 points on nearly 50/40/90 splits, few contenders can absorb that salary for a player widely viewed as a third option.
DeRozan’s Trade Value: DeMar DeRozan, who is entering the second year of a three-year, $\$78$ million deal, is a more movable asset. With his contract being reasonable at $24 million this season, he could be an attractive option for a contender looking for a veteran scoring punch, although he has yet to be linked to any specific teams this offseason.

Westbrook’s Final Chapter?

The Kings have made other offseason moves, adding Dennis Schroder on a three-year deal and acquiring Nique Clifford, but the outlook remains grim. With many expecting the team to blow up the roster, sports betting platforms like BetMGM project the team’s win total at just 35 wins, placing Sacramento among the worst teams in the Western Conference and out of playoff contention.

As of now, Westbrook is expected to be part of the starting lineup. However, joining his fifth team in six seasons and landing on a roster that seems on the verge of a full-scale rebuild, this final opportunity for the veteran guard could sadly mark a sour, uncompetitive end to what has been an otherwise Hall of Fame career.