Sacramento Kings Could Form A Powerful Backcourt With Russell Westbrook And Zach LaVine

The NBA offseason has only just begun, and the Sacramento Kings have some big improvement plans. In the aftermath of some major trades, the Kings are in need of a point guard, and recent reports from within the organization claim that they could look to Russell Westbrook to fill the void.

“Fellow free agents Tyus Jones and Russell Westbrook are also known to be options that the Kings are considering," wrote Sam Amick of The Athletic. "Free agency formally begins at 6 p.m. Eastern on Monday. Beyond the point guard vacancy, though, league sources say the Kings are open for business when it comes to discussing the various possibilities with their roster.”

The Kings are still trying to find their way after a series of disappointing seasons. Despite their initial success with De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, they failed to make a long playoff run, and the team decided to wipe the slate clean by trading Fox and parting ways with their longtime coach, Mike Brown.

Going into next season, the Kings are hoping to be competitive with Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Domantas Sabonis, but they'll need a proper point guard to keep up with the steep competition. In a somewhat weak free agency, options are limited for the Kings, but Russell Westbrook is not only an affordable option, but he has the potential to raise their ceiling.

The 9x All-Star is a future Hall of Famer with career averages of 21.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game on 443.9% shooting. As a 2x scoring leader, 9x All-NBA player, and former MVP, Westbrook has proven himself as one of the elite superstars, but his decline over the years has been swift.

Ever since leaving the Thunder in 2019, Westbrook has been on a downward spiral that includes failed stints with the Rockets, Wizards, Lakers, and Clippers. In his latest stop, the Nuggets, the entire front office split over his role in Michael Malone's rotation.

Now, Russ is set to decline his $3.5 million player option and join the 2025 free agency class at 36 years old. At this stage of his career, Westbrook's future is still uncertain, but the Kings believe he can help them win games next season. After averaging 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game in the 2024-25 campaign, Russ has something left in the tank, and his impact on the floor is still felt after 17 years in the NBA.

While he may not be what he once was, Westbrook's skills as a scorer, ball handler, and playmaker should make him a fine addition to the Kings. At the very least, he'll make them relevant in the West in a lineup with Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis.

After finishing ninth in the standings this past season, Sacramento needs a spark, and Westbrook can bring that and more with his status as a leader, veteran, and ultimate competitor. While he's expected to have multiple suitors this summer, Westbrook will have direct control over this next landing spot, and there's a lot to be gained from joining the Kings, where he could potentially start on a competitive team.