Rumor: Kings Most Likely Destination For Russell Westbrook

The Sacramento Kings are the most likely destination for Russell Westbrook, according to NBA insider Tim MacMahon of ESPN. 

Westbrook is an unrestricted free agent. The NBA icon declined his 2025-26 player option with the Denver Nuggets.

Westbrook played in 75 games for the Nuggets last season. He averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.5 blocks while shooting 44.9% from the floor, 32.3% from beyond the arc and 66.1% from the free-throw line.

Denver lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the 2025 playoffs in seven games after beating the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round in seven games. 

The 2017 NBA MVP, Westbrook turns 37 in November. The future Hall of Famer has played for the Thunder, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers and Nuggets. Westbrook has the most triple-doubles in NBA history (203).

A nine-time All-Star, Westbrook has career averages of 21.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.3 blocks in 1,237 games. He has made nine All-NBA teams.

The Kings missed the playoffs in 2025. They traded De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs in February and acquired Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls.

Sacramento lost the 9-10 play-in game at home against the Dallas Mavericks. Doug Christie was named the full-time head coach this offseason after taking over for Mike Brown last season. 

This offseason, the Kings have acquired Dennis Schröder from the Detroit Pistons and Dario Šarić from the Nuggets.

Westbrook played with Schröder on the Thunder and Lakers and was teammates with Domantas Sabonis in OKC.

Russell Westbrook also has a rapport with LaVine and DeMar DeRozan.

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