The start of the 2025-26 NBA regular season is right around the corner and a former MVP remains unsigned in free agency.
That player is Russell Westbrook as he remains a free agent heading into the new season despite him putting together a solid season last year for the Denver Nuggets.
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For Westbrook, he has surprisingly not drawn much interest from teams in free agency this offseason despite proving last season in Denver that he can still play a key role for a contending team either off the bench or in the starting lineup.
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4).Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Despite this, the veteran guard could draw some interest before the start of the new NBA season and an ESPN insider recently revealed a Western Conference team that has interest in him.
Kings, Russell Westbrook Have Strong Mutual Interest
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, there is strong mutual interest between Westbrook and the Sacramento Kings.
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Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) directs his team against the Sacramento Kings Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
“I’m told there is strong mutual interest between Russell Westbrook and the Sacramento Kings,” Charania said. “The Kings have a need for a reserve point guard… He’s got relationships across that organization. Domantas Sabonis he’s close with, played with him. He played with Dennis Schroder as well. DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, they have LA ties. We’ll see if a deal gets done before the start of the season, or during the upcoming season.”
This is a massive report by Charania, though the Kings have been named as the main landing spot for Westbrook this offseason due to their lack of depth at the point guard position.
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Why Kings May be Perfect Fit for Westbrook
Of course, the Kings traded De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs at last season’s trade deadline and while they did sign Dennis Schroder in free agency this offseason, they still lack true point guard depth.
Russell Westbrook and Dennis Schroder© Alonzo Adams
Because of this, they have been linked to Westbrook for most of the offseason and it appears as though the two sides may be able to work out a deal ahead of the new season or during it.
If a deal was to get done this season, Westbrook would provide the Kings with a reliable scorer, rebounder and playmaker off the bench behind Schroder.
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Last season, the 36-year-old guard averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 44.9% from the field and 32.3% over 75 games with the Nuggets.
The former MVP proved last season that he can still play a key role for a contending team and with the Kings in desperate need of point guard depth and his ties to multiple people within the organization, it is a possibility that Westbrook could be in Sacramento this season.
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) controls the ball as Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis (23)Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
While that may be the case, the Kings would have to make some roster moves to open a spot to sign Westbrook, which could cause them to shy away from a potential deal.
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If that ends up being the case, Westbrook may remain unsigned entering the new season, though it is likely that he will be picked up eventually during the season.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Oct 11, 2025, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.