The Sacramento Kings are likely to enter the 2025-26 season with a roster similar to what they have as of this story's writing. Jonathan Kuminga and Austin Reaves trade rumors have swirled, but it seems unlikely that a deal will come to fruition before the upcoming campaign. However, Sacramento could still make one notable move. Will the Kings sign Russell Westbrook?
NBA insider Jake Fischer recently discussed the situation, via Bleacher Report.
"Russell Westbrook has always had the strongest level of interest from Sacramento," Fischer said.
However, the NBA insider then explained how Sacramento still needs to make a move to create necessary roster space for the veteran guard. He mentioned the Malik Monk trade rumors, but later added an attention-catching Devin Carter comment.
"Now it seems more likely that Devin Carter would potentially be moved than anybody else to create the flexibility to bring in Russell Westbrook," Fischer said.
The Kings are possibly Westbrook's only NBA landing destination at the moment, something that has been discussed in recent weeks and a topic Fischer addressed as well. The idea of Westbrook playing overseas has also been floating around the NBA world. If Westbrook can find a contract in the NBA, though, perhaps he will stay in the league for at least one more season.
The 36-year-old spent the 2024-25 campaign in Denver with the Nuggets. He finished seventh in Sixth Man of the Year voting after recording per game averages of 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals per outing. Westbrook, a former NBA MVP, is not the same player he once was. Still, he is capable of positively impacting an NBA team.
The Kings are in an interesting position, however. Westbrook likely makes more sense for a true contender. Sacramento could potentially make a postseason run, but the team could also miss the playoffs altogether. There is uncertainty with the roster right now.
Carter, who is only 23, may be a player the Kings could keep for the long-term future. Moving on from Carter for the purpose of adding a 36-year-old Russell Westbrook would be a questionable decision. Carter only averaged 11.0 minutes per game in his rookie season in 2024-25, but he features an intriguing ceiling and could emerge as a reliable player at the NBA level down the road.
The Kings will need to make a final decision soon. Westbrook remains a legitimate candidate to end up in Sacramento for the upcoming season, but it remains to be seen if Sacramento will be able to create the necessary space on the roster.