NBA Notes: Kings, Russell Westbrook, Magic, Jalen Suggs, Heat

Kings

Russell Westbrook is officially a King. Sacramento announced the signing Thursday, finalizing a one-year, minimum-salary deal with the former MVP.

“Russell embodies the identity we’re striving for in Sacramento,” said general manager Scott Perry. “His résumé speaks for itself and I’m excited to work with someone so accomplished, who is fully committed to competing and winning.

“We expect him to strengthen our point guard position and provide leadership both on and off the court.”

Westbrook, 37, joins a Kings roster that already includes Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Dennis Schroder — and he has preexisting ties to each. The team had been searching for a steady, veteran point guard behind Schroder, and Westbrook checks that box.

The nine-time All-Star played 75 games for Denver last season, averaging 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals while shooting 45% from the field.

Though he can still push the pace and defend with energy, turnovers and outside shooting remain question marks.

Westbrook reportedly drew interest earlier in the summer but stayed unsigned for months after declining his $3.47 million player option with the Nuggets.

Perry, in his first year as GM, values Westbrook’s “high-motor, high-effort” approach as part of the Kings’ new culture.

Sacramento also made a procedural move, signing and waiving swingman DaQuan Jeffries so he can join the Stockton Kings of the G League.

Magic

The Magic continue to take a careful approach with Jalen Suggs, who’s working back from offseason leg soreness.

Head coach Jamahl Mosley said Suggs has responded well to light contact but still needs to clear a few steps before being ready for opening night.

“We’ll have a couple more scrimmages where we’ll be able to go live, some 3-on-3, some 5-on-5, and we’ll see how he responds,” Mosley said, via Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel. “Then we’ll be able to tell you accordingly whether he is or isn’t ready on opening night.”

Suggs averaged 14.9 points and 3.6 assists last season, his best as a pro, while helping Orlando climb back into playoff contention.

Heat

Miami has signed guard Bez Mbeng and waived forward Steve Settle III, the team announced.

Mbeng, a 6-foot-4 defensive standout from Yale, earned Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year honors three straight seasons and was also named Player of the Year in 2024-25.

He averaged 13.0 points, 5.8 assists and 5.6 rebounds on 43% shooting last season.

He’s expected to be waived in the coming days and rejoin the Sioux Falls Skyforce on an Exhibit 10 deal, which would make him eligible for a bonus up to $85,300 if he spends 60 days with Miami’s G League affiliate.

Settle, who also went undrafted in 2024, was recently added on an Exhibit 10 before being released.