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 previous, the previous UCLA standout will likely be trying so as to add a set off the bench for Sacramento. However who requested for this?
Positive. Westbrook had just a little little bit of a profession resurgence final 12 months with the Denver Nuggets. Nikola Jokic’s capacity to shoulder a majority of the offensive workload possible 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 evening. He averaged 13 factors, six assists and just below 5 rebounds. Whereas the participant that when 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 seems to be poised to take over the league. On their depth chart, Dennis Schroder is listed because the group’s place to begin guard.
Schroder is 32 years previous and has bounced across the league in recent times. He has not performed greater than 50 video games with one group since showing in 51 video games with the Toronto Raptors in 2023.
Keon Ellis is one other guard choice for brand 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 evening.
Shortly, you perceive how Westbrook might be requested to do some bit extra in Sacramento. Whereas the Kings actually want main assist in their backcourt, tapping a mixture of Schroder and Westbrook is actually a call that appears like Sacramento will likely be taking part in for NBA Draft Lottery ping pong balls in a loaded Western Convention.
It’s a singular place for a group like Sacramento to be in. Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis are a strong sufficient large three to make some noise – however the remainder of the roster isn’t precisely phenomenal.
In keeping with some rumors, the Kings have been excited by buying and selling for an All-Star level guard like Atlanta’s Trae Younger or Cleveland’s Darius Garland.
Whereas the asking worth on these gamers would have been tremendously excessive, it was in all probability price a swing. The growing old level guard duo in Sacramento will definitely be one thing to observe this season.