The Sacramento Kings have made a shocking number of bad decisions over the past 20 years or so. Signing Russell Westbrook is definitely not one of them. He proved that once again last night by picking up his 209th triple-double while leading his team to a late-season victory.
No one was expecting Westbrook to be a member of the Kings' roster this season, but he's their starting point guard and playing great basketball. And not just great basketball for someone in their 18th season. Just solid, no-nonsense basketball that is the engine of the team.
In the last ten games, the Kings have won five of them. It's by far the best that Sacramento has played all season, and that's due in no small part to Westbrook. He picked up yet another triple-double last night, which featured 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.
On top of that, the man had four steals, the highest number by an individual member of the roster in the game. He was an absolute defensive menace against the Clippers. At this point, it's impossible to ignore how important he is to Sacramento's growth and that his contract is almost done.
Westbrook could be done with the Kings at the end of this season
So far in March, Westbrook has scored double digits in every game, has three double-double, and has two triple-doubles. Across his first season with the Kings, he has 15 double-doubles and six triple-doubles. This is a player who is delivering for his team on a regular basis.
Russell's contract is up at the end of this season. After the Nuggets cut ties with him, the Kings were the only team to offer Westbrook a contract. The reality is that contract is also done at the end of this season, and no announcement has been made about his future.
Yes, the Kings have embarked on a rebuild process focused on young, versatile players, and Brodie is in his 18th season. That doesn't change the fact that he's a living legend who is playing impressive basketball. Sacramento would have to be insane to let the man walk after how he's played.
To make this rebuild work, the Kings will need at least a couple of respected veterans to help the young guns develop. Malik Monk is an obvious choice, and Russell Westbrook is a no-brainer. If Sacramento lets Brodie walk, then fans need to question the sanity of the front office.