Former MVP Russell Westbrook agrees to deal with the Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings have agreed to a deal with former MVP and 9-time NBA All-Star guard Russell Westbrook, according to Shams Charania.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Oct 15, 2025, 9:19 AM Updated: 10:51 am

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New Sacramento Kings general manager Scott Perry made his first imprint on the roster during the offseason, but had another move up his sleeve before the beginning of the regular season.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, free agent guard Russell Westbrook has agreed to a deal with Sacramento.

Despite not being with a team throughout training camp, he had been linked to the Kings on numerous occasions.

The Athletic’s Sam Amick reports that Westbrook’s deal with Sacramento is for one year and the NBA league minimum ($3.6 million).

BREAKING: Nine-time NBA All-Star Russell Westbrook has agreed on a deal to sign with the Sacramento Kings, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management tells ESPN. The 2017 league MVP enters his 18th NBA season. pic.twitter.com/Y0SrfKJrcf

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 15, 2025

“Westbrook has bonds with Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, and Zach LaVine, history with BJ Armstrong on the agency side, and shared respect for Scott Perry and Doug Christie,” according to Charania.

At 36 years old, with 17 years of NBA experience, Westbrook’s resume is well known: MVP, 8-time All-NBA, 9-time All-Star, 2-time Scoring Champion, and 3-time Assist Champion.

However, he has filled roles on contending Pacific Division teams in each of the last few seasons, both as a starter and reserve. Let’s take a look at his 2024-25 production in 75 games played (36 starts) with the Nuggets.

2024-25 Averages: 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds on 44.9/32.3/66.1

Westbrook averaged 27.9 minutes per game last season and was a turbulent experience all day long. Players speak highly of his consistent work ethic, hustle, and leadership, but on the court was a bit different.

At times, those high-energy plays can electrify a home crowd and generate momentum. Yet, times of head-scratching decisions and results still creeped in, too often at times.

Converting just 32.3 percent of his 3.9 three-point attempts per game last season — above his career average of 30.5 percent — makes for an interesting fit alongside the likes of Domantas Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan, should they remain on the roster.

There’s a long time until free agency ends, with plenty of time remaining for Perry to continue to make signings and monitor the trade market for potential deals.

Sacramento’s expected to be aggressively looking at its options, seeking opportunistic moments to capitalize on.

Westbrook’s signing aligns closely with Perry’s goal of establishing an identity and culture for the upcoming season, but his on-court fit will be interesting to see.

More Sacramento Kings coverage on Sactown Sports

The Sacramento Kings had been linked to free agent guard Russell Westbrook for the entire offseason, and the two sides reached an agreement this week that will bring the nine-time All-Star to Northern California for the 2025-26 campaign.

NBC Sports California analyst Kayte Christensen joined The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross to share her live reaction to the news that Westbrook is heading to Sacramento, highlight why she is looking forward to a full season with Doug Christie as head coach, and much more.

Be sure to check out the entire interview with NBC Sports’ Kayte Christensen on the Sactown Sports 1140 YouTube page.