{"id":713111,"date":"2026-04-18T10:39:33","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T10:39:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/713111\/"},"modified":"2026-04-18T10:39:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T10:39:33","slug":"kings-russell-westbrook-both-open-to-reuniting-in-2026-27","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/713111\/","title":{"rendered":"Kings, Russell Westbrook both open to reuniting in 2026-27"},"content":{"rendered":"

A lot went wrong for the 2025-26 Sacramento Kings, but little of those shortcomings had to do with Russell Westbrook.<\/p>\n

Westbrook, who just finished the 18th season of his storied NBA career, was arguably Sacramento\u2019s most consistent presence during a year that saw fellow veterans like Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, and De\u2019Andre Hunter miss extended periods due to injury.<\/p>\n

Signed late in training camp on a veteran\u2019s minimum deal with the expectations that he would be a bench guard, Westbrook quickly played his way into the Kings\u2019 starting lineup, passing last summer\u2019s free agent acquisition Dennis Schroder (and his nearly $15 million per year contract) on Sacramento\u2019s depth chart just weeks into the season.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"SACRAMENTO,<\/p>\n

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

More on Russell Westbrook<\/p>\n

Russell Westbrook will turn 38 this November, but the nine-time All-Star still plans to suit up for the 2026-27 season.<\/p>\n

Could we see Westbrook don a Sacramento Kings jersey for a second season? If it\u2019s up to Westbrook, he\u2019ll be back this fall.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I wouldn\u2019t mind coming back,\u201d Westbrook said this week at his end-of-season press conference. \u201cI mean, I\u2019m always\u2014anywhere I\u2019m wanted, I\u2019m there. I want to be able to be helpful, be productive, but also I understand it\u2019s a business.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speaking of the business side, the Kings are in an interesting spot heading into the offseason.<\/p>\n

After whiffing on the signing of Schroder, who was dealt to Cleveland for Hunter during February\u2019s trade deadline, Sacramento is still searching for a long-term solution at the point guard spot.<\/p>\n

Fresh off his first season as the Kings\u2019 general manager, Scott Perry has a lengthy to-do list this summer\u2013but a reunion with Westbrook could be on that list.<\/p>\n

\u201cRussell\u2019s always welcome with me. I loved working with Russell Westbrook this year,\u201d Perry said. \u201cI wish I had an opportunity to work with Russell earlier in my career. I really like what he stands for.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Perry, Westbrook\u2019s impact was especially evident in the development of Sacramento\u2019s younger players, as the future Hall of Famer developed a strong two-man game with rookie center Maxime Raynaud.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"NEW<\/p>\n

(Photo by Tyler Kaufman\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of that development doesn\u2019t happen without guys like Russell,\u201d Perry said of Westbrook. \u201cRuss was at the head of the class for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will keep the lines of communication open, and we will see what happens and what\u2019s available to us this offseason.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u2019 Darryn Peterson, Houston\u2019s Kingston Flemings, and Arkansas\u2019 Darius Acuff Jr. are all players the Kings could view as their next long-term solution at the PG spot.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

It remains to be seen if other teams will be in the mix for Westbrook\u2019s services this summer, but he has a strong relationship with Perry, Doug Christie, and Sacramento\u2019s current crop of young talent.<\/p>\n

As Westbrook himself put it in his recent edition of the Words of Westbrook newsletter, the Kings organization has become \u201cfamily\u201d to him.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll see if both sides decide to have a family reunion come training camp this fall.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

(Word of Westbrook Newsletter)<\/p>\n

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

Upcoming Sacramento Kings & NBA Offseason Schedule<\/p>\n

Tuesday, April 14th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Play-In Tournament begins
\nSaturday, April 18th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Playoffs begin
\nSunday, May 10th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Draft Lottery
\nThursday, June 4th\u2013 NBA Finals begin
\nThursday, June 25th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Draft (Round 1)
\nFriday, June 26th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Draft (Round 2)
\nTuesday, June 30th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Free Agency negotiation period begins (3 PM PT)
\nThursday, July 9th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins
\nMonday, July 13th\u00a0\u2013 Free Agency moratorium ends \/ signings can become official<\/p>\n

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