NBA guard Russell Westbrook was asked about his current free agency status during an interview with CNN’s Elex Michaelson regarding the nine-time All-Star’s wide-ranging community service. “I don’t (think about it) honestly,” Westbrook answered.

Michaelson asked if Westbrook wanted to play an 18th NBA season, and he responded: “I love playing basketball, and if it happens, it works and that’s my plan.”

Westbrook’s track record and performance

Westbrook was a star for the Oklahoma City Thunder between 2008 and 2019, earning eight All-NBA selections and winning the NBA MVP award in the 2016-17 season. Since then, he has maintained productive output, even averaging a triple-double with the Washington Wizards in the 2020-21 season—marking the fourth time in his career he achieved that feat.

Over the last four NBA seasons, Westbrook has alternated between starting and coming off the bench. Still, he has maintained a solid level, averaging 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.4 rebounds in 29.0 minutes per game last season with the Sacramento Kings.

Potential re-signing rumors

Speaking of which, the Sacramento Kings are “open to a reunion” with Westbrook, per ESPN’s Anthony Slater. However, the Kings “are also understanding that Westbrook might not be as interested in playing a reduced role behind prized rookie Darius Acuff Jr.”

Acuff represents the present and future of the Kings franchise. The 6’2″ guard was selected seventh overall in the 2026 NBA draft after averaging 23.5 points and 6.4 assists per game last year.

Sacramento is going through another rebuilding phase as it stacks up on promising young talents. The team seems to be considering signing veterans to assist in mentoring those players, per NBA insider Jake Fischer.

“Among tonight’s items, sources say the Kings are considering adding one of various veteran guards to help mentor No. 7 pick Darius Acuff, to where Sacramento is now considering a return for Russell Westbrook, in addition to signing Victor Oladipo,” Fischer wrote.

Westbrook and Oladipo’s situation

Westbrook spent the entire 2025-26 campaign with the Kings, playing in 64 games as a full-time starter. He is in free agency after declining his player option for the 2026-27 campaign and is exploring his options.

The Kings have solutions to address needs in key areas of the roster. Russell Westbrook and Victor Oladipo are certainly options to consider, given their more than a decade of experience playing the guard position.

Westbrook proved he can still play at a solid level following his 18th season with the Kings. He averaged 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game across his 64 appearances.

Oladipo has not played in the NBA since his stint with the Miami Heat in the 2022-23 season. Despite that, he is seeking a return to the league, as he still has much to offer thanks to his versatility.

According to Evan Sidery, Westbrook’s market stagnated despite averaging 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.4 rebounds last NBA season. “Russell Westbrook is not generating much, if any, interest on the free agent market. It appears to be a likely scenario Westbrook opens the 2026-27 season not signed. After being on seven teams in the past nine years, this could soon be end of Westbrook’s Hall of Fame career.”

With teams prioritizing perimeter spacing and low-maintenance defenders, a ball-dominant playmaker poses a stylistic fit challenge. Rebuilding franchises prefer giving development minutes to young guards, while contenders hesitate to hand their second unit to a volatile veteran.

How Westbrook can value-add as a veteran presence

While Westbrook may no longer fit as a full-time starter, he can still transform a contender’s second unit by serving as its primary engine. Letting him run the offense for 14 to 18 minutes a night allows primary stars to rest without watching bench leads evaporate.

Beyond his on-court production, Westbrook provides essential floor-general insurance across a grueling 82-game regular season. Having a former MVP on the bench shields a roster from falling apart when starting guards inevitably deal with minor injuries.

Bargain price tag and realistic team destinations

Financially speaking, Westbrook is one of the cheapest veteran options available since he projects to cost only a $3.6 million veteran minimum salary. Under current CBA rules, the NBA reimburses teams for a portion of 10+ year veteran minimum deals, keeping his actual salary cap hit remarkably lightweight.

A team like the Miami Heat could view him as an energetic spark off the bench. Meanwhile, salary-capped contenders like the Philadelphia 76ers or a re-engagement with the Sacramento Kings remain sensible fits if backcourt injuries strike late in the summer.

Veteran Russell Westbrook has surpassed Hall of Fame guard Magic Johnson for seventh place on the NBA’s all-time assists leaderboard. After Westbrook starred for the Kings in overtime during a 125-114 win against the Houston Rockets, he continued his impressive week for Sacramento.

Westbrook eclipsed Johnson’s 10,141 career assists in the first quarter of Saturday’s game against the Mavericks. By doing so, he officially moved into seventh place on the NBA’s all-time assist leaders list, surpassing the record of Hall of Famer Magic Johnson.

An assist to Keon Ellis in the first quarter against the Mavericks helped Westbrook climb the league’s assist record books, marking a major milestone in his storied career.

Westbrook’s numbers with the Kings and the next target

Westbrook is averaging 14.4 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.9 rebounds for the Kings this season. He joined Sacramento as his seventh NBA team via a one-year, $3.6 million veteran’s minimum contract this past offseason.

The next target for Westbrook is Mark Jackson’s career total of 10,334 assists. John Stockton remains the all-time leader with 15,806 assists across his 19-year NBA career.

Westbrook now trails only John Stockton (15,806), followed by Chris Paul (12,552), Jason Kidd (12,091), LeBron James (11,673), Steve Nash (10,335), and Mark Jackson (10,334) on the NBA’s career assists leaderboard.

Westbrook’s career achievements

This latest milestone adds to an already decorated career. Westbrook is a nine-time NBA All-Star, former NBA MVP (2017), and two-time scoring champion. He has also led the league in assists three times and remains the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles.

In seasons where pace rose and usage spiked, a handful of NBA stars transformed triple-doubles into near-nightly benchmarks. Their bursts of scoring, playmaking, and control hinted at shifts in how elite talent could bend a game’s structure.

Some stretches became defining runs: months when guards dictated tempo, wings punished mismatches and bigs initiated offenses from the top. These patterns didn’t just elevate individual lines, they signaled evolving roles across the league.

By the time the records settled, those campaigns stood apart for more than raw totals. They captured moments when players expanded what all-around dominance could look like, leaving markers that still shape how peak seasons are judged.

Who holds the record for most triple-doubles in a season?

In the 2016–17 NBA season, Russell Westbrook redefined all-around excellence. Playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder, he compiled an astonishing 42 triple-doubles, setting a new single-season league record.

That year, he didn’t just pile up counting stats, he maintained elite production across points (31.6 ppg), rebounds (10.7) and assists (10.4), averaging a triple-double over the entire season.

His surge not only broke a long-standing record, but it helped fuel him to his first MVP honor… a crowning achievement in a season that few could rival in all-around dominance.

NBA stars who followed Russell Westbrook with records

The Big O’s legacy: Oscar Robertson’s 41 in the early ‘60s

Before Westbrook came along, the gold standard belonged to Oscar Robertson, aka “The Big O”. During the 1961–62 season, playing for the Cincinnati Royals, he notched 41 triple-doubles, a number that stood unchallenged for over half a century

That year, he averaged roughly 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 11.4 assists per game, making him the first player ever to average a triple-double over an entire season. His record endured for decades, a testament to how rare and difficult it is to sustain that level of versatility for 82 games.

The evolution of triple-double seasons: From then to now

Westbrook’s record-breaking season symbolized a shift in the NBA, but it didn’t appear out of thin air. Over the years, the league’s pace, style and emphasis on guard play have evolved, making triple-doubles more frequent and celebrated than in Robertson’s era.

Still, even in a high-tempo, assist-happy environment, not all players come close. Only a select few — like Nikola Jokic in more recent seasons — have flirted with Westbrook’s output, but none have surpassed his 42. In that way, his 2016–17 campaign remains a singular feat: a blend of physicality, endurance and sheer statistical ambition that re-wrote the record books.

By grabbing 16 rebounds in the victory over the Warriors, Westbrook surpassed Jason Kidd (8,725) for the most boards by a guard during the regular season in NBA history, hitting a total of 8,734.

Following the win, Westbrook spoke at the press conference and confidently affirmed his standing as the best rebounding guard ever. “Humbly speaking, I’m the best rebounding guard ever. So when the ball comes across the rim, I’m going to get it,” the 36-year-old exclaimed, with the statistics now fully backing his claim.

The triple-double leader

The recent triple-double also extended Westbrook’s commanding record in the league to 204 total triple-doubles. He remains the undisputed all-time leader in the category. The closest active player attempting to catch him are the Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic, who currently stands at 164 career triple-doubles.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ star and NBA’s all-time scoring leader, LeBron James, rounds out the top active players with 122 recorded triple-doubles. The top five list also includes retired legends Oscar Robertson in second place with 181 triple-doubles and Magic Johnson in fourth place with 138 achieved.

DeMar DeRozan on Westbrook’s impact

Several seasons ago, Westbrook appeared far removed from the dominant level he exhibited with the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, after showing flashes last season with the Denver Nuggets, it seems the veteran is now capable of recovering some of his elite form with the Kings.

His teammate, DeMar DeRozan, has no doubt about Westbrook’s ability, noting his consistent intensity and labeling him one of the best point guards in league history.

“He’s fierce. Every single night he’s going to give everything he got. That’s why he’s arguably one of the best point guards to ever play this game, and I’m glad he’s on our team,” DeRozan told NBC Sports Bay Area & California after the Kings’ victory.

Westbrook’s high-level play is essential for the Kings, who were forced to play without Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis due to injuries. “Every night is a dogfight,” Westbrook said at the press conference. “If we knuckle up and compete at a high level, that’s something I want to bring”.

DeMar DeRozan addressed the media regarding his team’s performance and didn’t hold back when discussing the Lakers. He made a pointed comment about the disparity in free throw opportunities during Sunday’s game.

“It’s crazy. Forty-six free throws to our 18? It seems like we’re getting called for fouls, but on the other end, when we try to be aggressive, nothing goes our way. It’s kinda deflating at times. Twenty-two free throws for (Austin)? Free throws,“ DeRozan remarked after the loss to the Lakers.

Despite a valiant effort to challenge the Los Angeles squad without stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James, the Kings fell short. The team appears to be in the process of finding its rhythm, as it remains a shadow of its potential high-caliber performance expected in the regular season.

Reaves’ stellar performance shines in Lakers’ victory

While the Lakers benefited from a substantial number of free throws, the spotlight of Sunday’s victory was firmly on Austin Reaves. Stepping up in the absence of key players like Doncic and LeBron, who are both sidelined with injuries, Reaves effectively led the team with an exceptional performance.

In an impressive 39-minute outing, Reaves poured in a career-high 51 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out 9 assists. His dominance was further underscored by his precision from the free-throw line, sinking 21 of 22 attempts as the Kings struggled to contain him and the rest of the Lakers.

LaVine emerging as a key player for Kings

Amid the anticipated impact of Westbrook and DeRozan, it is Zach LaVine who has truly risen to the challenge this season. After his move from the Chicago Bulls, LaVine is determined to make a significant impact with the Kings.

LaVine leads the team with an impressive average of 31 points per game, boasting a 92% free-throw success rate and a 65.8% accuracy on two-point conversions. His stellar stats provide a promising outlook for the Kings, who are eager to make a strong push in this season’s postseason.

As the Kings prepare to face the Phoenix Suns in their season opener, they ride the momentum of a preseason victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Media speculation about Westbrook’s potential retirement gained steam as he nears another season, wearing yet another team’s jersey.

When asked if this would be his final NBA season, Westbrook quipped, “Yeah, right,” with a look of disapproval, making it clear that retirement is not yet on his agenda. Alongside Kevin Durant, Westbrook is set to begin his 18th year in the league, undaunted by the passage of time.

Having donned the Kings jersey during media day in Sacramento, Westbrook has sparked high expectations among the fan base. His seasoned presence, combined with contributions from fellow players like Dennis Schroder and DeMar DeRozan, could provide a significant boost for a franchise aiming for an NBA title.

Westbrook’s message to the fan base

As the NBA regular season gears up, Westbrook addressed the fan base with a message about his aspirations and mindset while embracing the challenges ahead with the Kings. His goal is to rise to elite status once more in the league.

“That I’m a human being. I think it’s very important for people to understand I strive to be the best I can possibly be. But we are human, we all make mistakes,” Westbrook conveyed to the media, emphasizing his commitment and realism.

Westbrook on bringing the championship to Sacramento

With no immediate plans for retirement, Westbrook exudes more confidence than ever. When questioned on the prospect of leading the Kings to an NBA title, he responded with characteristic bravado: “Why Not?”

With this winning mentality and strategic roster enhancements, the Kings’ fan base harbors high expectations for the team. Last season’s performance, which fell short of aspirations, has only fueled the desire to reclaim prominence, as a new season kicks off this week.

Tonight marks the Lakers’ preseason finale, serving as their final opportunity to shake off the rust before the real games begin. While the core group remains largely the same from last season, this stretch allows new additions to settle into JJ Redick’s system and build early chemistry.

Meanwhile, the Kings recently added Russell Westbrook to their roster, reuniting him with familiar faces from his time in Los Angeles. Fans are eager to see if the 36-year-old guard will make his unofficial Kings debut against his former team.

Is LeBron James playing for Lakers vs Kings?

The Lakers are expected to be near full strength for their matchup with Sacramento, but five players remain sidelined with injuries. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, LeBron James is among those ruled out as the team continues to take a cautious approach with his workload.

“The Lakers will have everyone available tonight against Sacramento, minus the guys who have already been on the injury list,” McMenamin reported. “LeBron James (sciatica), Adou Thiero (knee), Bronny James (ankle), Chris Manon (ankle), Augustus Marciulionis (foot).”

The biggest absence, of course, is LeBron James. Prioritizing long-term health, the four-time MVP has chosen to sit out the entire NBA preseason, and tonight’s game will be no different.

Is Russell Westbrook playing for Kings vs Lakers?

Westbrook officially signed with Sacramento on Thursday, agreeing to a reported one-year, $3.6 million deal. The Kings have not confirmed whether he will play against the Lakers, but the timing of the move suggests his debut may come later. If the team opts to hold him out, Westbrook is expected to be available for the regular season opener against the Phoenix Suns at PHX Arena. It may simply be too soon for his first run in purple and black.

“Nine-time NBA All-Star Russell Westbrook has reached an agreement to sign with the Sacramento Kings, as reported by Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management to ESPN. The 2017 league MVP is set to embark on his 18th NBA season,” Charania wrote about Westbrook joining the Kings.

With Westbrook’s addition, Sacramento will bolster their lineup with four NBA All-Star players, each poised to play a critical role in the Kings’ strategy to capture their first NBA Finals victory in over 70 years. Westbrook’s leadership, when combined with the dynamic blend of young talents and seasoned players, is expected to have a significant impact in the upcoming season.

Despite an illustrious career, Westbrook is still in pursuit of his first NBA title after 17 years in the league. Having already amassed an impressive array of individual accolades, this opportunity with Sacramento could be one of his final chances to perform exceptionally and rejuvenate the city’s passion for the team.

Updated Kings’ lineup features Westbrook

Russell Westbrook is set to be the sixth man as Dennis Schroder, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray are in the Kings‘ lineup for the next NBA season. Westbrook would be alongside Malik Monk,
Keon Ellis, Isaac Jones, Drew Eubanks, Devin Carter, Nique Clifford, Doug McDermott, Dario Saric, and Maxime Raynaud on the Kings’ bench.

Head coach Doug Christie has a significant amount of work ahead to optimize the Kings’ lineup for the upcoming NBA season. With Westbrook still recuperating from a wrist injury sustained over the summer, the Kings are keenly anticipating his return ahead of their season opener next week against the Phoenix Suns.

Other key contributors to the Kings’ winning strategy

Murray is poised to create space for Westbrook, and that’s why other names like Nique Clifford, Malik Monk, and Dario Saric, could be helpful as they have all shown promising performances in the first two preseason games. Although the Kings came up short in both contests, these players recorded impressive stats that underscore their potential impact on the team’s success.

In this evolving scenario, Christie is expected to make strategic adjustments that capitalize on Westbrook’s talents, especially following his stellar previous season with the Nuggets. Despite his individual success, the Nuggets were ultimately edged out by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals, leaving room for his impactful performance with the Kings this year.

Durant and Westbrook spent eight seasons together in Oklahoma City, forming one of the league’s most dynamic duos and leading the Thunder to the 2012 NBA Finals before falling to the Golden State Warriors.

In a recent appearance on Up & Adams, Durant acknowledged hearing the rumors but made it clear he has no inside information about Westbrook’s situation.

“I don’t have no clue. I haven’t asked anybody about that. I heard that too, but I don’t know. It hasn’t been brought to my desk at all. And usually when stuff like that happens, it’s pretty loud. But I haven’t really heard it outside of fans on the internet,” Durant explained.

However, when asked about the possibility of reuniting with Westbrook in Houston, Durant didn’t hesitate to praise his former teammate. The former Suns forward made it clear he believes Westbrook still belongs in the league and should have the chance to finish his career on his own terms.

“Russ is a legend. I think he deserves to be in the NBA right now, and I think he deserves to walk out of the NBA on his own terms. So yeah, that’d be dope. But it’s not my decision, I’m leaving that up to whoever makes those decisions for now,” he added.

Could Westbrook fit with the Rockets?

The Rockets made a major splash this offseason by acquiring Kevin Durant, signaling their intent to make a serious run at the NBA championship. However, their title hopes took an early hit before training camp even began: Fred VanVleet tore his Achilles and is expected to miss the entire 2025–26 season.

That setback leaves Houston without a true point guard — a role Westbrook could naturally fill. But there’s a major obstacle standing in the way: the salary cap.

The Rockets are already hard-capped, meaning they can’t use the Disabled Player Exception without exceeding the limit, nor can they sign another player to a minimum contract unless they first shed salary.

The only realistic path to adding a replacement for VanVleet would be via trade, but most of Houston’s tradeable assets are considered untouchable by the front office. As a result, head coach Ime Udoka will have to get creative to replace his veteran floor leader — at least until December 15, when recently signed players become eligible to be traded.