Former MVP Russell Westbrook to sign with Sacramento Kings, sources say
Alright, how’s it? Oh, it feels great, truly, um, you know. Blessed to be able to. Have the opportunity to be able to play, enjoy, um, in *** place that You know, wanted me to come here, so I’m grateful for that. What’s this summer been like for you? It’s been *** weird summer around the NBA period, but *** long time to get here. Uh, I mean, from *** basketball perspective or *** life perspective, yes, all of it. um, summer’s been amazing. I’ve been, uh, enjoying, uh, family, traveling, uh, working out always staying ready, um, just been enjoying life to be honest, um, and then taking it one day at *** time and. You know, that’s about it. Russell, how did this whole thing come together? Uh, this talks have been going on since like the early part of uh July and, uh, of course, you know, the players have been looking forward for your arrival and you’re here, but how did this all mesh together? Uh, I don’t know how it all came together so quickly, but, um, obviously I have *** lot of friends and uh. Guys that I played with on this team before and um the familiarities with our games and different things like that um and also not just that but organization that um. That you know we’ve not me personally, but been in contact and trying to figure out ways to make it happen, obviously with salary cap and all these different rules that I’m, I’ve come to learn all the uh things you can and can’t do, um, and I think it just kind of mesh together that way and I’m here now so Russ, the game’s fan base is synonymous with energy and passion and your game has *** ton of energy and passion. How excited are you to feed off the energy at the golden one center and light the very excited, man. I think um fans. One of the reasons why I love to play the game, it’s one of the reasons why I continue to go out and give everything I have and um being on the roadside, I know how great this fan base can be and I’m I’m, I’m grateful and I’m excited to be able to get out there and have them on, you know, our side, on my side, and you know, feed off the energy. And then, yes, ultimately like to be when the opportunity presents itself. Hey Russ, Malik said, uh, you’re one of his favorite teammates of all time. We know how great you are on the court. How much it one of his favorite teammates of all time. No, no, one more time. One of his favorite teammates that, uh, what are you looking to contribute off the court with the guys in the locker room and especially the young guys? Yeah, you know, man, I think, um, like I, since I’ve been in this league, leadership is not just something that Um, unfortunately that you guys see you on the floor, but, um, my job and I think one of my traits as *** leader is to be able to learn about guys’ journeys off the floor, how they got to this point, what inspired them, uh, what pushes them. But I think being able to be able to do that and obviously I’ve known Malik since he was in high school. He used to work out with me in college and to know his story allows me to be *** better teammate, uh, *** better brother to my teammates, and I think that’s to me that’s what I look forward to most in any part of my journey being able to impact and inspire somebody daily is always my. Daily go to to run into somebody and maybe I can inspire them to do something that they think they can do. So looking forward to doing that. Russ, what intrigues you about this roster? Um, the doubt that everybody have against us. What’s your assessment of the just the talent here how you fit and and what you can do? Um, you know, honestly, man, I, I haven’t practice yet, um, and I haven’t been able to kind of get on the floor, but, um, things will, will find its way and figure it out. My job is to be able to come here and find ways to be able to help the organization, help the team in any way I can. I’ll do that. 18th season, um, is this, uh, is it possible this is, this is the last year in the league for you? Right. What, what, what keeps you going and what, what drives you most? Family, um, my family, uh, supporters, uh. The ability to be able to be grateful and blessed to be able to wake up and Have limbs and things that work and be able to use them and using this platform to to build other parts of my life and businesses and um. You know, just the overall fun I have about playing and enjoying the game, and I think it’s uh something I’d never ever take for granted and grateful to be able to do that again. Why you talk to Doug, what is it that Doug is asking from you uh with this team? What kind of be. You know, and I think that. But that is *** lot of different things, um, you know, as simple as they sound, but definitely, um, being able to instill who I am, um, values and different things that I’ve learned in this league, uh, on the roster. Russ, you’ve always played with *** on your shoulder. The way this summer played out, I wonder, is there, is there any extra motivation? Can you talk about the people down the team, but obviously you have doubters yourself. Like, is there any extra motivation and proving that you still have *** lot left? Uh, you know what, um, to be honest, I mean, I’m, it’s really been like this my whole career, so it’s not, it’s not nothing new, unfortunately, uh, and uh I’m grateful and I’m. I’m blessed for the doubt, the, um, indecision, the if I can and will play. Uh, I know what I’m capable of when given the opportunity and um. When the season started giving opportunity, I’m gonna do. What I’ve always done and go out and compete and, you know. They’re gonna be people that love it, they’re gonna be people that hate it. That’s life for me, um. You know, I didn’t make it 18 years on accident and I’m grateful to be able to still be here standing, uh, and give an opportunity to go out and compete. So I’ll do the same thing I’ve been doing and yes, the chip has always been on my shoulder. It won’t go nowhere until I’m done playing. of those 18 years, you’ve accomplished *** lot in your illustrious career. Is there anything else you’re looking to add to that resume or something that’s really driving you, uh, to continue playing? Oh no, I just answered it. Nothing, you know, I think the cliche answer everybody is like the championship, but like I’ve said in the past, man, I Being *** champion is hard, man. It’s not up to me. I’m not doing it by myself like as much as, you know, the media and sports fans and everybody put the emphasis on championship, it’s like you have to be really lucky. You have to be, things have to align *** certain way. You have to have great talent. *** lot of things have to happen for you to be able to win, so like I don’t put *** lot of pressure on myself to be able to add certain things to my resume, uh, to be honest, uh, uh, uh, once I got drafted and and. To me, there you go, uh, that’s right. Yeah, for me, that’s, that’s, I’ve added, I added something and now it’s what I do with this platform and this journey to, to help and inspire other people to me is what gonna determine. You know, when I do move forward, you’ve played in Sacramento many times over the years. What has always been your impression of of playing here in front of these fans? No, they, they’ve been loud, uh, they talk *** lot of mess to me when I was here, which is great, you know, I take it as *** compliment always, uh, but now being on the, on the home side, I’m looking forward to, uh, you know, feeding off the energy, feeding off my energy to. You know, get some wins out of it. Do you remember when you played for uh UCLA your freshman year here at the Arco Arena in Indiana when you was with uh Darren Collison. What do you think about that journey, you know, forward here today? I mean, you know, fast. What? Why 18? Uh, you’re 18, um, of the numbers I wanted wasn’t available. Um, it took me the process of me finding another number was, it took me *** second. I was trying to figure it out, uh, some because I’m always about anything that’s significant and that makes sense for me, um. And you know, this is the only one that connect with something that, you know, has some. Value to me. Would Clifford, uh, Verona the gift clothing brand. What’s the like connection with me, uh, just the you know, uniqueness about him and his journey, um, and I, I think he’s *** really good player. I think he’s gone. Surprise *** lot of people if he hasn’t already with his ability to be able to do multiple things on the floor and just from college and be watching *** little bit you know my brand is always about uniqueness, about community integrity, different things that people value and unique with somebody that I thought that connected well with gifts. Do you hope to play on Wednesday. What you say to play on Wednesday. The first game? Hell yeah. Obviously, uh, you know, your career is well documented. Kings fans are familiar with your game, but if you wanted the fan base, the community to know one thing about you coming in to play here, what, what would it be? Um, that I’m *** human being. I think it’s very important that people understand that, like, you know, I try to be the best I could possibly be, um, but I think we all human, we all make mistakes, we all do things and. And wake up and we all everyone here made *** mistake today. I don’t know what it was, but we did it, you know I mean I think we’re all human. I think understanding that, um, you know, and giving the grace that we give each other, um, to me is more important. So that’s what I would say. What was last night like having that fan fest kind of putting on the jersey the first time that first taste. Oh it was great, man. It was good. Um, I think the best thing about sports is community and fans, and I think it allows you to be able to connect with. Um, the young fans, the older fans, um, the long time fans, and I think it’s *** good. Experience for for everyone and I really enjoyed it. Scott Perry talked to you about, you know, uh, changing the culture around here. That’s one of the big things you’ve been preaching for the past few months. I had that conversation and how did that go? We did, we did. Just leave it at that. Yeah, we did. Thank you. Thank you.
Former MVP Russell Westbrook to sign with Sacramento Kings, sources say
Updated: 9:53 PM PDT Oct 19, 2025
Russell Westbrook has agreed on a deal to play with the Sacramento Kings and had an introductory interview with local media on Sunday.Westbrook is a nine-time All-Star and was named the NBA’s MVP in 2017.He earlier won an Olympic gold medal in London in 2012.This will be the 18th season for the 36-year-old point guard, who most recently played with the Denver Nuggets. While Westbrook has worn No. 0 and No. 4 in year’s past, he will wear No. 18 with the Kings. Before the signing is not yet official, Kings’ players were asked what an addition like Westbrook would bring to the team. Dennis Schröder described him as a “competitor and close friend” that never backs down. “He’s an amazing player, no question,” rookie big-man Maxime Raynaud said. Westbrook said that he’s looking forward to feeding off of the energy of Sacramento basketball fans, who he said have always been loud and energetic throughout his career. The Kings will begin their regular season against the Suns in Phoenix on Oct. 22 and their home opener is on Oct. 24 against the Utah Jazz. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Russell Westbrook has agreed on a deal to play with the Sacramento Kings and had an introductory interview with local media on Sunday.
Westbrook is a nine-time All-Star and was named the NBA’s MVP in 2017.
He earlier won an Olympic gold medal in London in 2012.
This will be the 18th season for the 36-year-old point guard, who most recently played with the Denver Nuggets. While Westbrook has worn No. 0 and No. 4 in year’s past, he will wear No. 18 with the Kings.
Before the signing is not yet official, Kings’ players were asked what an addition like Westbrook would bring to the team.
Dennis Schröder described him as a “competitor and close friend” that never backs down.
This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Kings shootaround just wrapped up and, even though nothing is yet official, Dennis Schröder talks about what an addition of Russell Westbrook would add to Sacramento. pic.twitter.com/qwlLhGl5gE
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) October 15, 2025
“He’s an amazing player, no question,” rookie big-man Maxime Raynaud said.
This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Kings rookie big-man Maxime Raynaud (called Maximus by teammates) chats about getting back to the team after battling an illness, seeing the Russell Westbrook to Sacramento reports & reflects on the time spent in Napa with Domantas Sabonis ahead of training camp. pic.twitter.com/ODafhGI9x5
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) October 15, 2025
Westbrook said that he’s looking forward to feeding off of the energy of Sacramento basketball fans, who he said have always been loud and energetic throughout his career.
The Kings will begin their regular season against the Suns in Phoenix on Oct. 22 and their home opener is on Oct. 24 against the Utah Jazz.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel