Since the start of the offseason, we have heard rumors of the Sacramento Kings contemplating Russell Westbrook. The free agent is looking for a new NBA home, again, and the Kings might be interested in signing him.
Now comes more news out of Sacramento, and it's not great for Westbrook. His options are beyond limited, and it's either the Kings or bust. Could this actually work out well for the team?
The Kings are Westbrook's last hope
In a live stream for Bleacher Report, Jake Fischer gave a dire update about the Westbrook-Kings situation. Yes, the Kings are still keen on the idea of adding the former MVP, but they aren't racing to get anything done. To make matters even worse, if Westbrook doesn't commit to Sacramento, he'll have nowhere else to go.
“We are still waiting to see what other moves could come in Sacramento before the Kings try to bring Russell Westbrook. And that’s been the one home all along that we really have looked at for Russell Westbrook and that’s still the home that I have heard earlier this week is the most likely outcome for Russell Westbrook if he’s gonna be in the NBA at all,” Fischer reported.
“Honestly, that’s really the only home we’ve heard for him," he added.
Westbrook has bounced around the league a lot over the last few years. That, along with his inconsistent output, have diminished his value. He's now at the point where only one team is curious about him, and they don't seem that eager.
The Kings have been far more drawn to the idea of getting Jonathan Kuminga, who is hashing out his problems with the Golden State Warriors. It feels like Kuminga and Golden State are close to coming to an agreement, which will give the Kings more time to focus on Westbrook.
He could choose to go with the deal they put forth, or he could sit out and wait for another team. But that means he may not be in the league at the start of 2025-26. That would be a shocking turn of events for the NBA icon.
But what if he takes the Kings up on an offer, even if it's not one he's wild about? This could put him in the perfect position to have a comeback season, a year where he rebounds and silences his critics. Maybe this situation is exactly what Westbrook needs to play like an All-Star again. And the Kings would love to pay the bare minimum for a player with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove.
Could this ultimately work out for both sides?