One of the greatest point guards in NBA history just took to a stage that looked nothing like he expected. Nine-time All-Star Russell Westbrook is navigating a season in Sacramento that has seen the team fall to the very bottom of the Western Conference standings.
Westbrook joined the Kings on Oct. 15, signing a one-year, $3.6 million contract to provide depth behind Dennis Schroder.
Eventually, the high hopes for a triple-threat synergy with veterans DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine began to fade as the team plummeted to a dismal 12-44 record.
“How the hell are you there? Ask to be bought out or waived or cut,” said analyst Chandler Parsons during a recent segment of “Run It Back,” an NBA show on FanDuel TV. “He doesn’t need the money. Like, get the hell out of there and go somewhere where at least you’re valued.
“Sacramento… a lot of these guys, they’re two-way guys. They’re not even going to be on the team next year anyway. The Kings would trade their entire team right now.”
The bench unit’s effort was described as a “disaster” following a humiliating 121-93 loss to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, a game Westbrook did not play in. The Kings have a defensive rating of 120.8, ranking 28th in the league, according to Basketball Reference.