According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Sacramento Kings and Russell Westbrook have “strong mutual interest” and a deal could get done in the future. Sacramento has been one of the only legitimate teams of showing any interest in the veteran point guard.
It isn’t clear when a deal could emerge, but there’s an intense feeling of a potential partnership happening sometime this upcoming season.
“Look, I’m told there is strong mutual interest between Russell Westbrook and the Sacramento Kings. And the Kings have a need for a reserve point guard. They were 29th in bench points, 29th in bench assists last season,” Charania said. “Russell Westbrook helps with that, and he’s got relationships across that organization: Domantas Sabonis, he’s close with, played with him. He played with Dennis Schroeder as well, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine. They have LA ties as well. BJ Armstrong, the new assistant general manager there. He knows BJ Armstrong from the agency side, and he does have respect with Scott Perry, their new general manager, and Doug Christie, their new head coach. We’ll see if a deal gets done before the start of the season or during this upcoming year.”
Fans and experts have expressed their disbelief that the former MVP has not been signed by any team in the NBA. It’s unclear what the exact reasons of him not being on a franchise is, however, it is known his market is very small.
During last season’s run with the Denver Nuggets, the 36-year-old averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.4 steals coming primarily off the bench. ‘
Westbrook has not hinted at a possible retirement, as it appears he wants to play another season in the National Basketball Association.
