Brodie Behaviour Incoming: Russell Westbrook Joins Sacramento Kings For His 18th NBA Season

Last Updated:October 15, 2025, 23:05 IST

Russell Westbrook joins Sacramento Kings for his 18th NBA season after leaving Denver Nuggets, aiming to fill the void left by De’Aaron Fox alongside Dennis Schröder.

Former NBA MVP and nine-time All-Star Russell Westbrook (X)

Russell Westbrook is on the move again.

The former NBA MVP and nine-time All-Star has reportedly agreed to join the Sacramento Kings, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, marking the start of his 18th NBA season.

The details of the deal haven’t been revealed yet, but one thing’s for sure — the Kings just got a jolt of proven veteran energy.

New City, Same Russ Energy

At 36 years old, Westbrook isn’t slowing down much. Last season with the Denver Nuggets, he averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds in nearly 28 minutes per game across 75 appearances — including 36 starts. He’s one of only 17 players league-wide to hit those marks, rubbing shoulders with several All-Stars and MVPs on that list.

Westbrook turned down a $3.4 million player option in Denver, which raised eyebrows but wasn’t entirely surprising. The dollar figure was modest, and while his market as a free agent wasn’t crystal clear, the Kings clearly saw an opportunity.

A Career in Constant Motion

After blazing through his Oklahoma City Thunder days as one of the league’s most electric players, Westbrook has become something of a basketball nomad — with stints at Houston, Washington, both L.A. teams, and most recently Denver.

While his shooting efficiency has dipped and his turnover rate remains high, his relentless pace and intensity still make him a unique asset — even if fitting him into a modern contender’s system can be tricky.

Sacramento’s Big Bet

For the Kings, this is as much about necessity as it is about upside.

The Sacramento team has been searching for stability since trading De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs midseason. Rather than finding one player to replicate Fox’s impact, they have opted to rebuild his presence by committee — pairing Westbrook with Dennis Schröder to handle playmaking duties.

Maybe, just maybe, Sacramento will be the stop where Westbrook finally finds the ending his career deserves.

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

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News sports Brodie Behaviour Incoming: Russell Westbrook Joins Sacramento Kings For His 18th NBA Season

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