The Sacramento Kings know precisely what they’re chasing: a playoff-ready roster that can survive the Western Conference’s brutal competition. For a franchise that’s reached the postseason just once in two decades, that mission has driven every major decision they’ve made lately.
General manager Scott Perry and owner Vivek Ranadivé have made bold moves to reshape their roster. In February, the Kings traded All-Star playmaker De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs and recently brought in German guard Dennis Schröder to add depth at the position. However, Sacramento hasn’t finished building yet. Reports have surfaced that the Kings are keeping tabs on nine-time All-Star Russell Westbrook.
Can Russell Westbrook Fill the Kings’ Missing Championship Piece?
With All-Star caliber players like Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento has plenty of talent. Add Malik Monk and Keegan Murray into the mix, and this team should be a threat in the West. Yet something is still missing for this Kings team that finished the 2024-25 campaign with an underwhelming 40-42 record.
According to Kings insider Matt George, the Kings have been in talks with 2017 MVP Westbrook, who they hope can be the final piece for this group.
“Both parties have been talking and have had mutual interest since free agency began. That’s been well known,” posted George on X. “From what I gather, the Kings are still looking to move a player like Devin Carter or Malik Monk before they can bring Westbrook in. The Kings have a log jam at the guard position and very little financial flexibility to work with.”
On the Kings/Russell Westbrook front:
Both parties have been talking and have had mutual interest since free agency began. That’s been well known.
From what I gather, the Kings are still looking to move a player like Devin Carter or Malik Monk before they can bring Westbrook…
— Matt George (@MattGeorgeSAC) July 28, 2025
Westbrook, currently a free agent, could offer the Kings the experience and know-how this lineup lacks. The 36-year-old has played 1,237 regular-season games over 17 seasons and a whopping 135 playoff games. He also played in the 2012 NBA Finals for the OKC Thunder. That postseason experience could be invaluable to a Kings team with scant playoff appearances.
The veteran guard can contribute in a variety of ways, as he proved during his incredible run between 2016 and 2019. Over that three-year stretch, Westbrook averaged a triple-double with 26.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 10.4 assists (along with 1.8 steals).
However, some issues need to be ironed out before the Kings can lock up a player like Westbrook. According to George, the guard-heavy Kings may have to explore a trade to sign Westbrook. Schröder, LaVine, Monk, Keon Ellis, Devin Carter, and Nique Clifford are all skilled guards, and for Westbrook to break into the rotation, one of them may have to be moved.
