Recent reports indicate that the Kings are the only team with genuine interest in signing free agent guard Russell Westbrook.
However, that comes with a major stipulation — they first have to clear some salary and some playing time to make that happen. Sacramento already signed a veteran point guard in Dennis Schröder, so the only way Westbrook could get a meaningful role is if Sacramento deals either Malik Monk or 2024 No. 13 overall pick Devin Carter.
Both of those guards have been the subject of trade rumors this summer. That’s in part due to the Kings’ interest in trading for Warriors restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. One recent report declared that the Kings are still interested in finding a new home for Monk. A subsequent report stated that Sacramento isn’t actively engaged in any discussions about a Monk deal.
Westbrook will be 37 in November but it’s still somewhat surprising that his market is so limited. He appeared in 75 regular season games with the Nuggets last season, including 36 starts, averaging 13.3 points. 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists. He also appeared in 13 postseason games but struggled to make an impact.
He could have guaranteed himself $3.47MM by exercising his player option but chose to test the market instead. There have been no indications in recent weeks that Denver is showing interest in a reunion, and the same goes for his previous two teams, the Lakers and the Clippers.
That brings us to today’s topic: Do you think the Kings will eventually sign free agent guard Russell Westbrook? If not, do you think he’ll find another landing spot and if so, what will be his likely destination?
Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to your input.
Despite his flaws I will always love and root for Russ, he gives it his all every night
His self awareness is just so low.
Why do you all call me Westbrick? Because you take the shots other teams dare you to and miss.
Gonna rock the baby though on some basic move like he didnt just miss 5 straight before that.
Wont set screen. Wont make consistent defensive effort. Always to willing to gamble for steals.
Like he is a really talented player if he would just get out of his own way. He always wants to do the things he shouldnt, and refuses to do some of the things he should. If Russ could stop being Russ he would have a better end to his career. He needs to call up Melo and get on the POR program that saved his. Even then I thought Melos final season was good enough to get him a roster spot, but I was wrong.
Melo was out of the league for more than a year, by the time POR came calling …….hat time off probably got Melo reflecting on being a better team-player for once.
Who knows, some time off might, all that rest, might serve Russ well ……. as the new season progresses, a few desperate/injured teams will likely come calling.
For my part I’m right there with you. He’s got his flaws, he is definitely still talented and capable to contribute to a team. It’s been a few years but he put my Wizards team on his back and dragged them kicking and screaming to a playoff berth. We had literally no business even being in that conversation based on the talent we had then. May not have been the best year of his career stat wise but he won me over as a fan for the rest of his career. Hopefully he can find a good fit somewhere and get himself a championship before he calls it a career.
Yeap, his year in Washington made me a fan too :)
But that was 4 seasons ago. I can see why teams are apprehensive of signing him at his point. Older players like that keep their value thanks to efficiency and a lean game – Horford, Batum, Conley. Russ is the opposite of that – expansive, outsized impact, inefficient.
He struggled finishing at the rim so much in Denver. It was kind of sad to see…
That being said, Thunders would not have won if Westbrick was on the roster. He’s negative impact in the locker room, and makes so many bonehead plays. Last yr, he lost 2-3 gms in the final seconds of gms when all he had to do was hold onto the ball, yet he would sprint for a layup after rebounds/steals. :(
I’ll agree he does need to play more as a facilitator now, which he is still very good at. He’s still a very strong physical guy that will fight for rebounds and he does bring that intensity he’s always had. Realistically he just needs to make that adjustment from trying to find “his” shot and make it more about finding his teammates theirs. I think he still has plenty left in the tank, its really just about the right fit and how willing he is to adjust from being very ball dominant.
Russ is the most overrated player of all-time. The biggest ball hog “me first” guy to ever play the game. Never deserved that MVP over KD. I have never seen anyone clang layups off the backboard like Russ. Awards voters are all corrupt. Worst aspect of this game are how bad they get the awards. Joker should have won the last 5 MVPs. Curry should have 4 MVPs and 4 FMVPs. All these awards are bad and wrong and bad for the game, which should put being a TEAM PLAYER above ball hogs.
Brooklyn or Washington
Monk adds more to the Kings than Russ can at this point. It is very hard to build a team around DeMar. Too ball dominant and does not provide spacing for the rest of the players they actually have. Adding Westbrook seems like it will hurt more than help. In a way I hope the Kings excel with the roster they have, but it seems very unlikely.
Kings would be very Kangsy by doing this…
What 37 year old doesn’t exercise his player option. Fail.
Eric Gordon?
Nic Batum?
He will help someone. Of course, the Kings can’t help themselves lol. Trading Monk to open a spot for Westbrook… smh
I think Westbrook is one of the most overrated players of our generation. Misses 900 shots and has 400 unforced turnovers (on more bad shot attempts) but everyone oohs and aahs because he catches rebounds sometimes. He’s a regular season shot chucker and stat padder that bamboozled his way into an MVP.
He’s also shown himself to be pretty childish at times.
I respect that he at least plays with max effort when many don’t. But I am happy every year that he is not on my team and is instead on someone else’s.
This is obviously not the place where you’re gonna get any type of logical discussion about Russ Westbrook.
What is your take on Westbrook? Would love to know what I am missing.
I was rooting for Denver last year and every time Westbrook had the ball it was an adventure and hoping he would pass it off as quickly as possible.
Then he would make a good play and you think he is good and you were wrong. Then that one good play would be followed by three awful ones, and you realize why you have so much angst Ruth him on the floor.
I want him to go to OKC even as a last man just to get a ring.
Rosters overloaded as it is, and he’s too much of a distraction to just sit there and play garbage time. He wouldn’t accept that role.
He’ll have his number in the rafters here someday, but his playing days with OKC are over.
RW finding out that this is the worst offseason in years to be a free agent. He’ll end up getting paid the vet min somewhere.
Should of taken the option…
RW has for years let his ego drive what he does…
The years playing shooting guard next to KD instead of table setting…
The stat padding…
The inability to accept any other roles…
He has moments where he can take over a game… But far too many where the ego wanted to but those in the crowd got to chant Westbrick…
He’ll be beloved in OKC but that’s it… May get a HOF entry from his TDs… But unless he accepts a minimum and end of bench role he’s in the Melo class…