When the Sacramento Kings needed him most, Russell Westbrook stepped in and took over as the starting point guard. While he has been playing incredibly well, Russell can't keep this up forever. The Kings need a better plan now, and that might be trading for Trae Young.
After the Denver Nuggets front office inexplicably asked Westbrook not to pick up his player option, he obliged their request. This left the former MVP and All-Star without a team for the first time in 17 seasons. It was not the way fans wanted Westbrook end his legendary run in the NBA.
Shortly before the 2025-2026 season began, the Kings signed Russell to a one-year veteran minimum deal. At the very least, it kept him in the league, though it left many fans and pundits wondering how a player going into his 18th season would work out in Sacramento.
Westbrook promptly shut everyone up by picking up more triple-doubles, breaking records, and taking over as the Kings' starting point guard. Russell is playing damn good basketball by anyone's standards. The problem is how long he can keep this pace up before it catches up with him.
The Kings need a real backup plan for Russell Westbrook
No disrespect to the future Hall of Famer, but Westbrook is 37 years old and in his 18th season. Time catches up with everyone, even an athlete of his caliber. He's going to keep losing a step here and there until he finally retires, hopefully having his number retired in at least one arena.
The problem is what's next for the Kings. They have a shocking number of guards, yet no one suited to be the starter. Dennis Schroder can't handle it. Devin Carter is too inexperienced. And the Kings are actively trying to trade both Malik Monk and Keon Ellis. That's where Trae Young comes in.
It has been rumored that the Hawks want out of the Trae Young business and are quite interested in DeMar DeRozan. If that works out, the Kings will have a young but experienced point guard to partner with Keegan Murray and build around in the long-term.
On top of that, Sacramento would still have Westbrook playing off the bench as their secondary point guard. Assuming they don't trade him, as well. However the Kings front office works this one out, the team needs a real plan for how they are going to handle this whole point guard situation soon.