A lot went wrong for the 2025-26 Sacramento Kings, but little of those shortcomings had to do with Russell Westbrook.
Westbrook, who just finished the 18th season of his storied NBA career, was arguably Sacramento’s most consistent presence during a year that saw fellow veterans like Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, and De’Andre Hunter miss extended periods due to injury.
Signed late in training camp on a veteran’s minimum deal with the expectations that he would be a bench guard, Westbrook quickly played his way into the Kings’ starting lineup, passing last summer’s free agent acquisition Dennis Schroder (and his nearly $15 million per year contract) on Sacramento’s depth chart just weeks into the season.
Despite the late arrival, Russell Westbrook delivered another productive campaign, averaging 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting 42 percent from the field and 34 percent from three-point range.
His impact went beyond the box score, as he recorded six triple-doubles and 16 double-doubles, his highest totals in a season since 2021-22.
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
More on Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook will turn 38 this November, but the nine-time All-Star still plans to suit up for the 2026-27 season.
Could we see Westbrook don a Sacramento Kings jersey for a second season? If it’s up to Westbrook, he’ll be back this fall.
“Yeah, I wouldn’t mind coming back,” Westbrook said this week at his end-of-season press conference. “I mean, I’m always—anywhere I’m wanted, I’m there. I want to be able to be helpful, be productive, but also I understand it’s a business.”
Speaking of the business side, the Kings are in an interesting spot heading into the offseason.
After whiffing on the signing of Schroder, who was dealt to Cleveland for Hunter during February’s trade deadline, Sacramento is still searching for a long-term solution at the point guard spot.
Fresh off his first season as the Kings’ general manager, Scott Perry has a lengthy to-do list this summer–but a reunion with Westbrook could be on that list.
“Russell’s always welcome with me. I loved working with Russell Westbrook this year,” Perry said. “I wish I had an opportunity to work with Russell earlier in my career. I really like what he stands for.”
According to Perry, Westbrook’s impact was especially evident in the development of Sacramento’s younger players, as the future Hall of Famer developed a strong two-man game with rookie center Maxime Raynaud.
Raynaud played well with Westbrook as his primary table-setter, often connecting on pick-and-roll sets that led to the rookie finishing around the basket.
(Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
“A lot of that development doesn’t happen without guys like Russell,” Perry said of Westbrook. “Russ was at the head of the class for that.”
As the Kings evaluate their options heading into a critical offseason, Perry reiterated that nothing is off the table, including a reunion with the former MVP.
“We will keep the lines of communication open, and we will see what happens and what’s available to us this offseason.”
If Sacramento strikes gold and secures a top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, they could choose to draft a guard with their selection. Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, Houston’s Kingston Flemings, and Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr. are all players the Kings could view as their next long-term solution at the PG spot.
Even if Sacramento drafts a rookie guard, having Westbrook back in the fold to continue serving as a mentor, as he did with Raynaud, could be enticing for a Kings franchise looking to establish a consistent, positive, winning culture.
It remains to be seen if other teams will be in the mix for Westbrook’s services this summer, but he has a strong relationship with Perry, Doug Christie, and Sacramento’s current crop of young talent.
As Westbrook himself put it in his recent edition of the Words of Westbrook newsletter, the Kings organization has become “family” to him.
We’ll see if both sides decide to have a family reunion come training camp this fall.
(Word of Westbrook Newsletter)
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Upcoming Sacramento Kings & NBA Offseason Schedule
Tuesday, April 14th – NBA Play-In Tournament begins
Saturday, April 18th – NBA Playoffs begin
Sunday, May 10th – NBA Draft Lottery
Thursday, June 4th– NBA Finals begin
Thursday, June 25th – NBA Draft (Round 1)
Friday, June 26th – NBA Draft (Round 2)
Tuesday, June 30th – NBA Free Agency negotiation period begins (3 PM PT)
Thursday, July 9th – NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins
Monday, July 13th – Free Agency moratorium ends / signings can become official
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