It’s superb how Russell Westbrook retains getting away with this.
On Wednesday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Westbrook agreed to a free agent contract with the Sacramento Kings.
Westbrook will likely be coming into his 18th season within the league. At 36 years outdated, the previous UCLA standout will likely be wanting so as to add a set off the bench for Sacramento. However who requested for this?
Certain. Westbrook had a little bit little bit of a profession resurgence final 12 months with the Denver Nuggets. Nikola Jokic’s skill to shoulder a majority of the offensive workload probably factored into Westbrook’s success, however let’s not let ourselves get misplaced within the particulars.
In 75 video games, Westbrook averaged over 27 minutes per night time. He averaged 13 factors, six assists and slightly below 5 rebounds. Whereas the participant that after averaged a triple double whereas securing a number of NBA MVP awards is lengthy gone, Westbrook proved to be a serviceable participant on this league even effectively into his 30s.
The Kings traded away De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs, seemingly serving to them construct round Victor Wembanyama, who appears poised to take over the league. On their depth chart, Dennis Schroder is listed because the crew’s place to begin guard.
Schroder is 32 years outdated and has bounced across the league in recent times. He has not performed greater than 50 video games with one crew since showing in 51 video games with the Toronto Raptors in 2023.
Keon Ellis is one other guard choice for brand spanking new Kings head coach Doug Christie. Ellis is coming into his fourth 12 months within the NBA and has by no means averaged greater than 10 factors per night time.
Rapidly, you perceive how Westbrook may very well be requested to do some bit extra in Sacramento. Whereas the Kings actually want main assist in their backcourt, tapping a mix of Schroder and Westbrook is actually a choice that appears like Sacramento will likely be enjoying for NBA Draft Lottery ping pong balls in a loaded Western Convention.
It’s a novel place for a crew like Sacramento to be in. Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis are a robust sufficient large three to make some noise – however the remainder of the roster isn’t precisely phenomenal.
In line with some rumors, the Kings had been serious about buying and selling for an All-Star level guard like Atlanta’s Trae Younger or Cleveland’s Darius Garland.
Whereas the asking value on these gamers would have been tremendously excessive, it was most likely price a swing. The ageing level guard duo in Sacramento will definitely be one thing to look at this season.
