The Sacramento Kings are allegedly on the hunt for a new point guard, which is ironic and sad considering their history with that position. There are many questions about what they will do in the offseason, but they are surely going to look for a new guard to help them in 2025-26 and beyond.
They don't have a lot of options, but there is one player on the market who could look attractive but might end up being a total disaster: Russell Westbrook.
Russell Westbrook is the sort of mistake the Kings would make
Westbrook just spent his 16th season in the NBA, playing for the Denver Nuggets. He averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game, spending about half his time coming off the bench and the other half in the starting five.
Even though he showed some promise in Denver and seemed to get along with his teammates, Westbrook could be moving on. He recently declined his player option, meaning he is going to see what free agency has to offer before he decides on his next step.
The Kings might be attracted to Westbrook for a couple of reasons: his star power and his salary. For all his faults, Westbrook is one of the most talked-about and accomplished guards in the league. No, he has never won a championship, but he has been an All-Star nine times, a scoring champion twice, and is a member of the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team and a former MVP.
The Kings may be in awe of all he has done and the attention he would bring. Plus, they could fall into the trap that many other teams have, assuming that they can give Westbrook the sort of roster that would click with him. They may convince themselves that Westbrook would be happy in Sacramento and would play his heart out with his new team.
They would also be enticed by his contract. Westbrook will probably sign a veteran's minimum for the new season, meaning the Kings could get him on a cheap deal. That is of course very attractive, but it still may not be worth it.
Why? Well, Westbrook's history paints a clear picture. Over the last few years, he has had a tough time staying in one place. Since 2020, he has played for the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and now the Nuggets. Is it wanderlust or an inability to fit in with others? Whatever the reason, Westbrook doesn't remain with teams for long, and that should be a red flag for the Kings, who could be at the start of a long and slow rebuilding process.
On top of all that, Westbrook has been painfully inconsistent over the years. Yes, he puts 100% of himself into every game, but he still commits boneheaded decisions and doesn't listen to others. He does bring experience and some guidance for younger players, but that isn't enough.
Westbrook is the sort of player who looks attractive to front offices for some obvious reasons, but there are many downsides to signing him. The Kings should be careful to avoid him. But, given their history, there is a possibility that they will leap at the chance to sign him.