Westbrook to remain in the NBA after taking up an offer from the Kings

After months of speculation, Russell Westbrook is officially back for his 18th NBA season, signing a one-year, $3.6 million veteran minimum deal with the Sacramento Kings.

The move, confirmed by ESPN on Wednesday morning, marks a new chapter for the nine-time All-Star and 2017 MVP, who spent last season with the Denver Nuggets.

Westbrook, leader and mentor

Westbrook, now 36, joins a Kings roster led by head coach Doug Christie, where his role will focus less on dominating the stat sheet and more on providing veteran leadership and depth.

Known for his high-energy presence and locker room influence in recent seasons, Westbrook has become a respected mentor figure—something Sacramento values as it pushes for playoff consistency.

The Kings blend youth with experience

The signing comes after a quiet stretch in the free-agent market, largely due to uncertainty surrounding Jonathan Kuminga’s contract extension with the Golden State Warriors. Kuminga, a restricted free agent, had drawn interest from Sacramento, but ultimately re-signed with Golden State on a two-year, $48.5 million deal. That resolution freed up the Kings to finalize other moves—including Westbrook’s deal.

Westbrook’s connection to B.J. Armstrong, Sacramento’s assistant GM and fellow client of Excel Sports Management, played a key role in the signing. Armstrong reportedly kept close tabs on Westbrook’s availability throughout the summer, helping facilitate the agreement.

Reunited with Schröder

Westbrook isn’t the only familiar face joining the Kings this offseason. Dennis Schröder, fresh off a EuroBasket championship with Germany, also signed with Sacramento. The two guards previously shared time in Oklahoma City, and their contrasting styles could offer intriguing backcourt flexibility for Christie’s rotation.

The Kings now boast a mix of youth and experience, with Westbrook expected to contribute both on and off the court. While his days as a triple-double machine may be behind him, his playoff-tested grit and leadership could be exactly what Sacramento needs to take the next step in the Western Conference.

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