{"id":691106,"date":"2026-04-01T03:20:33","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T03:20:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/691106\/"},"modified":"2026-04-01T03:20:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T03:20:33","slug":"former-nba-player-praises-veteran-leadership-of-derozan-westbrook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/691106\/","title":{"rendered":"Former NBA player praises veteran leadership of DeRozan, Westbrook"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cYou couldn\u2019t pay Russell Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan enough money for what they\u2019re doing with these young guys. I mean, off the court, it\u2019s amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Former NBA player and Sacramento Kings, Henry \u201cThe High Flyer\u201d Turner, joined Matt George and Kayla Anderson to discuss the lowly state of the Kings and what can be learned from their disappointing season.<\/p>\n

Clearly, Turner seems to have immense value in the veteran contributors they\u2019ve had this season. DeRozan has appeared in all but two games, averaging 18.5 points, 4.1 assists, and three rebounds on 39.5 percent shooting.<\/p>\n

In 64 games played, Westbrook recorded 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.4 rebounds while becoming the team\u2019s preferred starting point guard over free agent signing Dennis Schroder.<\/p>\n

Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis fall under the veteran category as well, but they\u2019ve combined for just 58 games between them. Given how Westbrook and DeRozan are in the battle with the young players, it makes teaching moments come naturally.<\/p>\n

Off the court, they may be even more essential by being examples of what long-term success takes in the hours nobody is watching.<\/p>\n

\u201cRussell is definitely that guy. He\u2019s an alpha male,\u201d Turner told\u00a0Matt & Kayla. \u201cHe does more teaching with these young players, just as much as an assistant coach does. DeMar DeRozan is the exact same way they are really pushing these guys. You would think that with Russell Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan both chasing their own type of situation in NBA history, they\u2019re still on their own progression as going up the ladder and all types of accolades and stuff, but they\u2019re just as equally in tune with trying to get these young guys to get better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sacramento\u2019s roster doesn\u2019t exactly have a variety of young, promising talent. The players they\u2019ve poured more repetitions start with the rookie trio of Nique Clifford (23), Maxime Raynaud (22), and Dylan Cardwell (24). After that, it goes to Devin Carter (23), Daeqwon Plowden (27), Precious Achiuwa (26), or even the later additions in Killian Hayes (24) and DaQuan Jeffries (28).<\/p>\n

Raynaud has clearly benefited from playing alongside Westbrook, receiving many of the future Hall of Famer\u2019s pick-and-roll assists.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will say this first and foremost, right off the bat, if you are a rookie such as Maxime Raynaud, and you get a chance to step on the floor with a Russell Westbrook, with a Chris Paul, with a Rajon Rondo, a Jason Kidd or a Steve Nash,\u201d Turner said. \u201cI\u2019m talking about it can\u2019t get any better, because they\u2019re going to put you in the best possible position to succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n

The rookie has maintained his stellar statistical production recently without Westbrook, an encouraging sign for his long-term projection.<\/p>\n

\u201cRuss isn\u2019t here. Now you have to go and go out and get something different,\u201d Turner continued. \u201cIt\u2019s a different type of offensive play that he has to be out there, a different type of mindset, to where he really has to go get it. And you\u2019re starting to see him move in that direction.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starting in 50 of his 68 games, Raynaud is averaging 12.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while shooting 56.5 percent from three. His consistent contributions have placed him on an All-Rookie team trajectory, whether it\u2019s the first or second team still feels unclear.<\/p>\n

But with single-digit games remaining and one of the worst records in the NBA (19-57), this could be some of the last moments their young talents get to pick the brains of Westbrook or DeRozan.<\/p>\n

Westbrook is on an expiring one-year deal, while DeRozan has one year left but was well known to be available via trade.<\/p>\n

Check out the full interview with former NBA player Henry Turner by scrolling to the top of the page or by clicking here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Listen to\u00a0Matt & Kayla from 10 a.m. \u2013 2 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.<\/a><\/p>\n

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports<\/p>\n

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?<\/p>\n

The Sacramento Kings will conclude its final road trip of the season on Wednesday night when the face the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena.<\/p>\n

Sacramento dropped a 122-109 contest to the Raptors at Golden 1 Center back on January 21st as Scottie Barnes scored 23 points in the win.<\/p>\n

Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Toronto Raptors action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 2:00 PM PT on\u00a0The Drive Guys\u00a0before a 5:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Toronto.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Wednesday, April 1st\u00a0@ Toronto Raptors \u2013 5:00 PM PT
\nFriday, April 3rd\u00a0vs. New Orleans Pelicans \u2013 7:00 PM PT
\nSunday, April 5th\u00a0vs. Los Angeles Clippers \u2013 6:00 PM PT
\nTuesday, April 7th\u00a0@ Golden State Warriors \u2013 7:00 PM PT
\nFriday, April 10th\u00a0vs. Golden State Warriors \u2013 7:00 PM PT
\nSunday, April 12th\u00a0@ Portland Trail Blazers \u2013 5:30 PM PT<\/p>\n

Thank you for reading\u00a0SactownSports.com<\/a>. Follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Google News<\/a>, and subscribe to our\u00a0YouTube<\/a>\u00a0channel.<\/p>\n

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