Amick: Russell Westbrook’s Kings tenure was a success

Russell Westbrook’s final NBA season may not have ended with the Sacramento Kings competing for a championship, but that does not mean his time in Sacramento was unsuccessful.

In fact, according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Westbrook’s lone season with the Kings should ultimately be viewed as a positive chapter in the 37-year-old’s remarkable career.

“It is to the Kings’ credit. You know, I think the Kings’ chapter for Russ officially goes down as a positive experience,” Amick told Sactown Sports’ Carmichael Dave this week.

Westbrook announced his retirement Wednesday, ending an 18-year NBA career that included an MVP award, nine All-Star selections and an NBA-record 209 triple-doubles.

His final season came in Sacramento, where he averaged 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.7 assists in 64 games, including 58 starts. He also shot 43 percent from the field and 34 percent from three-point range, his highest mark from downtown since 2016-17.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Russell Westbrook #18 of the Sacramento Kings smiles during their game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Golden 1 Center on March 05, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

More on Russell Westbrook

For Russell Westbrook, the numbers represented a productive final season. His 15.2 points per game were his highest scoring average since 2022-23, while his 6.7 assists were also his best mark since that season. His 33.8% three-point shooting was his best mark since his 2016-17 MVP season.

But Amick believes the impact Westbrook made in Sacramento extended beyond the box score.

“He was on the back end. He was a good, you know, kind of mentor to the young guys,” Amick said.

That mentorship could prove to be the most important part of Westbrook’s Sacramento legacy. The Kings entered the season with a young core that included rookies Maxime Raynaud, Nique Clifford and Dylan Cardwell, giving Westbrook an opportunity to pass along lessons from nearly two decades in the NBA.

And while Sacramento endured a difficult season, Dave was particularly impressed by Westbrook’s effort.

“I was so impressed that you had this aforementioned first-ballot Hall of Famer playing for a 22-win team, and he was playing just as hard in March as he was in October,” Dave said. “You could not tell in isolation the difference between him playing garbage minutes for the Kings in the dog days of the season versus if he was starting for the Spurs or the Knicks last year.”

That, perhaps more than anything, encapsulated Westbrook’s final season.

Amick acknowledged that Westbrook’s play was not perfect and that there were mistakes along the way. But the effort never disappeared. Neither did the veteran presence he provided to a young Sacramento locker room.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 09: Russell Westbrook #18 of the Sacramento Kings and Maxime Raynaud #42 speak during a break during the first half of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on February 09, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)

“Coaching staff raved about him, front office raved about him, the teammate stuff was mostly really good,” Amick said. “He was coming to the defense at times of some of the younger players.”

Westbrook ultimately chose retirement over a 19th season with either Sacramento or Washington. While his time with the Kings lasted only one season, Amick believes it left the franchise with plenty to appreciate.

For a franchise beginning another new era, that may end up being Westbrook’s most lasting contribution: He showed Sacramento’s young players what an NBA career built on competitiveness, intensity, and preparation can look like right until the very end.

Listen to The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross from 6 – 10 a.m. PDT, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

• Russell Westbrook’s time in Sacramento was brief–but impactful
• Breaking: Russell Westbrook Retires After 18 Seasons
• Carmichael Dave: The Kings should sign Ben Simmons
• Why Domantas Sabonis could be key to Kings’ new identity
• Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale names Kings’ best trade partners for Zach LaVine
• Why Doug Christie deserves another full season with the Kings

What is the next Sacramento Kings Offseason Event?

The start of the 2026-27 season is quickly approaching for Darius Acuff Jr. and the Sacramento Kings.

Sacramento will begin training camp in late September as they prepare to begin preseason play on Monday, October 5th when they face Luka Doncic and the new-look Los Angeles Lakers at Golden 1 Center.

Be sure to stay tuned to Sactown Sports all offseason for roster updates, analysis, and much more.

Sacramento Kings Schedule: 2026-27 Preseason

• Monday, October 5th vs. Los Angeles Lakers (7 P.M. PST)
• Thursday, October 8th @ Los Angeles Lakers (7:30 P.M. PST)
• Saturday, October 10th @ Golden State Warriors (5:30 P.M. PST)
• Tuesday, October 13th vs. Portland Trail Blazers (7:00 P.M. PST)
• Friday, October 16th @ San Antonio Spurs (7:00 P.M. PST)

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