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Rumor: Kings Want To Make Trade Before Signing Russell Westbrook

Originally posted on Hoops Wire | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Jul 28, 2025 12:47 PM ET

The Sacramento Kings want to make a trade before signing NBA legend Russell Westbrook.

The Kings are looking to trade Devin Carter or Malik Monk.

On the Kings/Russell Westbrook front:

Both parties have been talking and have had mutual interest since free agency began. That’s been well known.

From what I gather, the Kings are still looking to move a player like Devin Carter or Malik Monk before they can bring Westbrook…

— Matt George (@MattGeorgeSAC) July 28, 2025

Russell Westbrook is an unrestricted free agent. He declined his 2025-26 player option with the Denver Nuggets worth $3.5 million.

The Kings acquired Dennis Schröder from the Detroit Pistons and have Carter, Monk and Keon Ellis. That’s one too many guards, which is why it makes sense that Sacramento wants to move Monk or Carter before signing Westbrook.

A future Hall of Famer, Westbrook played in 75 games for the Nuggets last season, averaging 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists while shooting 44.9% from the field, 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, while Sacramento missed the postseason after losing the 9-10 play-in game at home to the Dallas Mavericks.

One of the best point guards in NBA history, Westbrook has career averages of 21.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 8.0 assists in 1,237 games with the Thunder, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Nuggets. The UCLA product has the most triple-doubles of all time.

Westbrook was teammates with Schröder on the Thunder and Lakers and played with Domantas Sabonis in OKC. Kings All-Stars Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan are also friends with Westbrook, who turns 37 on November 12.