The Sacramento Kings have been rumored to be a team interested in signing free agent guard Russell Westbrook. Last season, the former NBA MVP was part of the Denver Nuggets as a backup point guard. He appeared in 75 games, averaging 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists. The veteran star finished seventh in the Sixth Man of the Year voting.
Aside from the Kings, Westbrook is also being targeted by the New York Knicks. But more reports have indicated that the nine-time All-Star is likely going to be part of the Sacramento franchise. The Knicks have a logjam in the backcourt, and adding another point guard could create a problem in the rotation.
Last month, NBA insider Jake Fischer revealed that there are only two ways Westbrook’s free agency will end. Either he will join the Kings on a minimum contract, or he’ll remain as a free agent by the time the regular season starts.
Fischer reported about this on the “Insider Notebook” on YouTube.
“We are still waiting to see what other moves could come in Sacramento before the Kings try to bring in Russell Westbrook,” Fischer said. “And that’s been the one home all along that we really have looked at for Russell Westbrook. And that is still the home I have heard earlier this week for Russell Westbrook — if he’s gonna be in the NBA at all, honestly.”
However, recent reports from The Athletic’s Sam Amick show that the Sacramento Kings need to move a few players around to make room for Westbrook.
“More specifically, the odds of a Russell Westbrook signing go up if they know they’re completely out on Kuminga (though they aren’t expected to make that move unless they can make room in the rotation by trading a guard),” Amick reported.
The Sacramento Kings are predicted to sign a two-year deal
The Sacramento Kings may not have enough room for Russell Westbrook. However, that hasn’t prevented rumors about both parties. In a recent report from Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus, the insider predicted that the Kings will sign him to a two-year contract.
“The team has since acquired Cam Johnson, Jonas Valančiūnas, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown. Denver still has room to sign Westbrook, but it doesn’t appear inclined to do so,” Pincus wrote about Westbrook and the Denver Nuggets.
“The Sacramento Kings stand out as his obvious next home, as they need a point guard to back up Dennis Schröder,” he added. “Prediction: Russell Westbrook signs a two-year minimum deal with a player option in Sacramento.”
For other sports-related content:
Follow me on X at @BarbecueBro, and follow us at @HardwoodHeroics and @GridironHeroics. You can also reach out to Reign Amurao via email at reignamuraonba@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest sports news, click here!
Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
