Kings Make Russell Westbrook Decision After 12 Games

After a rather eventful offseason, Westbrook ultimately decided to take his talents to Sacramento on a one-year deal . This is after the two-time NBA scoring champion chose to opt out of his player option with the Denver Nuggets for the 2025-26 season. According to Westbrook, the Nuggets did not want him back.

On Friday, senior NBA reporter Chris Haynes provided a big update involving Westbrook’s stature with the Kings. According to Haynes, the 6-foot-4 forward will be back in the starting five for Sacramento’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.

“BREAKING: Sacramento Kings will insert Russell Westbrook into the starting lineup and move Dennis Schröder to the second unit beginning tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves, league sources tell me,” Haynes posted on X.

While this is far from the first time that Westbrook will start for his new team, the big takeaway here is that he appears to have taken Schroder’s spot in the starting lineup. Schroder has started all 12 games for the Kings this season, but has now been shifted to a bench role for Friday’s contest.

The way Haynes framed his report also implies that Westbrook’s move to the starting five could potentially be permanent. Haynes said that this decision is “beginning tonight,” which appears to indicate that this could be the case moving forward.

It is also worth noting that Kings head coach Doug Christie blasted his players following their embarrassing 33-point loss to the Hawks on Wednesday, which was their fourth consecutive blowout defeat. Christie called out his starters, and indicated that changes would be made in the immediate future.  

Sacramento enters Friday’s game against the Timberwolves with a 3-9 record and is in desperate need of a win.