Sep 7, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Russell Westbrook (right) attends the game between the Houston Texans and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

'This is Going to be a Disaster' – Sacramento Kings Draw Pessimistic Russell Westbrook Outlook From Anonymous Exec

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Oct 22, 2025 7:12 AM ET

The Sacramento Kings signed free agent guard Russell Westbrook to shore up their point guard depth this summer. However, many aren’t convinced that the one-time league MVP can take the team to the next level.

According to Ashish Mathur of Ahn Fire Digital, one rival exec believes that Westbrook is an odd fit to the Sacramento Kings’ scheme because of his erratic play and ability to space the floor well.

“Some members of the Kings are also worried about how Westbrook will react if he doesn’t finish games in the fourth quarter. Westbrook pouted behind the scenes when he was taken out of games in crunch time with the Los Angeles Clippers and Nuggets, the source said,” Mathur wrote.

May 18, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) runs down the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second quarter during game seven of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

“I think this is going to be a disaster,” an NBA executive told Ahn Fire Digital about Westbrook’s fit with the Kings. “DeMar doesn’t shoot 3s, Zach doesn’t guard anyone, and Westbrook can’t shoot, period.”

Sacramento Kings players are excited to have Russell Westbrook on board

Perhaps the anonymous exec’s take should be taken with a grain of salt, as several Sacramento Kings members are giddy about Russell Westbrook’s arrival.

Mar 15, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) celebrates a successful three-point score in the first quarter against the Washington Wizards at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

“Russ has already kind of changed the energy a little bit,” Nique Clifford said about Westbrook via Sactown Sports. “He came in today, just in the film room, and just was energy there, good vibes. And you could just tell, even at shoot around, he just brings a level of energy that we need as a team moving forward. So super excited to have a guy like that.”

“It was like nine o’clock the other night before we played, I was on the table in the treatment room, and he walks in, and he didn’t even have to say a word,” Drew Eubanks added. “You could just feel the energy in the treatment room shift.”