For the last few months, there has been a lot of speculation about the Sacramento Kings signing Russell Westbrook to their backcourt. And like all things Kings, the process has taken its time and hasn't progressed beyond rumor.
Now, some bad luck to another team may force the Kings' hand, and they might have to get their act together and take a chance on Westbrook, or miss out on him forever.
The Fred VanVleet crisis is putting pressure on Sacramento
The Houston Rockets will likely be without Fred VanVleet for all of the 2025-26 season because he suffered a tough ACL injury. Not only does this complicate matters for the Rockets, but it also throws a wrench into Sacramento's plans.
The Rockets could move on Westbrook, signing him as a way to fill the void left by VanVleet. To be clear, they would have to cut some salaries in order to add someone like Westbrook, but the Rockets have lofty goals for the new year and they may be desperate enough to take a run at Westbrook.
For weeks, the Kings were the only potential suitors for Westbrook. Inside reporting revealed that other teams just weren't interested in him. If he passed on an offer from Sacramento, he would be forced to sit out of the NBA, at least for the beginning of the season.
The Kings knew they held the upper hand, and maybe that is why they were sitting still. Perhaps they thought Westbrook would agree to a minimum deal when Opening Night got closer. But now they may not get the chance.
The Kings will have to decide how much they want Westbrook. Is he really the solution to their problems? If they believe he is, they will have to act fast. No one knows what the Rockets will do next, but if they have a desire to get Westbrook, they'll start putting the pieces together quickly. The Kings could get in their way, but they'd have to be proactive.
Sacramento's front office usually moves at its own speed, but this VanVleet situation might require they consider the Rockets and their choices. If they hear rumors of Houston advancing on a deal, they will have to get serious and finally decide, once and for all, if they really want Westbrook in their lineup.