Former NBA MVP and record holder for the most career triple-doubles, Russell Westbrook, signed with the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, Oct. 15. He inked a one-year, $3.6 million veteran minimum deal with Sacramento. However, according to one NBA insider Westbrook may not be in California for long.
Could NBA Veteran Russell Westbrook Be Waived by the Sacramento Kings?
Senior NBA insider and reporter Michael Scotto remarked on X that Westbrook’s contract is a non-guaranteed deal, meaning the Kings could waive him at any time.
Russell Westbrook contract with the Sacramento Kings is NON-GUARANTEED, per @MikeAScotto
He could be waived at any time with no cost to the Kings pic.twitter.com/NwhVBpGhtk
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) October 17, 2025
Westbrook, a pillar of a young and up-and-coming late-2000s and early-2010s Oklahoma City Thunder core, played alongside Kevin Durant and James Harden, a team that many believed would continue to build on its young talent. The trio lasted only three full seasons before fizzling out when Harden was traded to the Houston Rockets in 2012.
For years, Westbrook was the last remnant of that Thunder core, ultimately leaving Oklahoma City in 2019 for the Rockets. After his time in Houston ended, he became a journeyman of sorts, making stops with the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, and Los Angeles Clippers, with his most recent stint being with the Denver Nuggets.
Westbrook and the Kings reportedly had mutual interest in finalizing a deal. Many NBA fans and analysts view the signing as questionable, as the franchise is already veteran-heavy and overloaded with guards. Some question whether Westbrook can still be effective in helping Sacramento play winning basketball during the 2025 season.
The Kings also suffered a major loss on the offensive end with franchise point guard De’Aaron Fox leaving for San Antonio. His departure was seen as a sign of dysfunction within the organization and reflected a lack of trust in the team’s leadership. The loss of Fox left a noticeable void in running the offense.
If there’s one thing Westbrook can still provide, it’s the ability to fill up a stat sheet. However, he continues to struggle with playing off the ball, maintaining a consistent jump shot, and making sound decisions during games. Now entering his 18th NBA season on a non-guaranteed contract, Westbrook will need to prove he still has plenty of basketball left in the tank and can thrive within a system while providing valuable minutes off the bench. Otherwise, he could once again find himself searching for a new home.
For a player described as a high-energy person, Westbrook’s career trajectory has plummeted since leaving Oklahoma City. Once a starter, now relegated to the bench, it is clear that talent alone will not be enough to survive within a league and a sport that is ever-changing. If this opportunity with Sacramento falls through, all signs may point to Westbrook either making a move overseas or hanging up his jersey and walking away from the game altogether.
