Russell Westbrook Signs One-Year Deal with Sacramento Kings

Former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook is set to bring his trademark intensity to Northern California. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the nine-time All-Star has agreed to a one-year, $3.6 million deal with the Sacramento Kings, marking the latest chapter in his remarkable 18-season career.

Westbrook, who turns 37 in November, joins the Kings after spending the 2024–25 season with the Denver Nuggets. In 75 games last season, he averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game—numbers that reflect his continued ability to impact both ends of the floor even in the later stages of his career.

A veteran leader with a reputation for relentless competitiveness, Westbrook’s addition could provide Sacramento with valuable experience and energy as the team continues to push for postseason consistency. The Kings, led by De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, have been building a strong core and will likely look to Westbrook to bolster their depth and locker-room leadership.

Westbrook’s career has been defined by his explosive play and historic productivity. He first rose to stardom with the Oklahoma City Thunder, forming a dynamic duo with Kevin Durant that helped the team become a Western Conference powerhouse. 

After Durant’s departure to the Golden State Warriors, Westbrook responded with one of the most memorable individual seasons in league history, averaging a triple-double and earning the 2017 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player award.

That MVP campaign began a run of three consecutive seasons in which Westbrook averaged a triple-double—a feat previously considered nearly impossible. Along the way, he captured two scoring titles and two All-Star Game MVPs, further cementing his place among the NBA’s elite.

Since leaving Oklahoma City, Westbrook has suited up for several franchises, including the Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, and most recently the Nuggets. Despite his travels, his connection to Oklahoma City remains strong. Fans there have continued to cheer for him, even during playoff games in which he faced the Thunder—a rare display of enduring admiration in professional sports.

With 26,205 career points and an NBA-record 203 triple-doubles, Westbrook’s legacy is secure. Now, as he prepares to don a Kings uniform, he adds yet another chapter to one of basketball’s most dynamic and passionate careers. For Sacramento, his arrival brings not only experience but also the fire of a competitor who has never stopped believing he can make a difference.