This week, the Sacramento Kings announced that they had signed 2017 MVP Russell Westbrook.
Westbrook had been coming off a strong season (as a role player) where he averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.4 steals per contest while shooting 44.9% from the field and 32.3% from the three-point range in 75 games.
Via Kings.com (on October 16): “The Sacramento Kings announced today that the team has signed former NBA Most Valuable Player and nine-time All-Star guard Russell Westbrook. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.”
NBA Players React To Russell Westbrook News:
Several former NBA players reacted to the big news of Westbrook landing in Sacramento.
Stephon Marbury: “🔥🔥🔥”
Isaiah Thomas: “🔥🔥🔥”
Richard Hamilton: “Big time! 🔥”
Darius Miles: “🔥🔥🔥”
Eddy Curry: “Yes sir!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥”
Quentin Richardson: “🔥🔥🔥🔥”
Westbrook has also played for the Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards and Oklahoma City Thunder over his legendary career.
His career averages are 21.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.6 steals per contest while shooting 43.9% from the field and 30.5% from the three-point range in 1,237 games.
While Westbrook has never won a title, he helped lead the Thunder to the 2012 NBA Finals.
Scott Perry (via Kings.com): “Russell embodies the identity we’re striving for in Sacramento. His resume speaks for itself and I’m excited to work with someone so accomplished, who is fully committed to competing and winning. We expect him to strengthen our point guard position and provide leadership both on and off the court.”
The Kings have a talented roster led by Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan.
They are coming off a year where they lost to Klay Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks in the play-in tournament, so they missed the 2025 NBA playoffs.
Via @akb7479: “Non guaranteed makes sense from Westbrook’s perspective too in my opinion… he gets to stay in NBA shape by continuing to play games and give himself the flexibility to sign with a better team past December 15th depending on how other teams with point guard needs play out.”