Russell Westbrook has left the door open for a return to the Sacramento Kings, adding clarity to his future as the franchise approaches the offseason.
“If I’m welcomed back, then I’ll be back,” Russell Westbrook said Monday, according to a report from Sean Cunningham, addressing the possibility of staying in Sacramento beyond the 2025-26 campaign.
The veteran guard signed a one-year, $3.6 million deal prior to the season and became a key rotation piece on a roster built around established scorers and interior playmaking.
Westbrook appeared in 64 games, starting 58, while averaging 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.4 rebounds in 29.0 minutes per contest.
His role balanced secondary ball-handling and transition creation alongside primary options like DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, who led the team in scoring at 18.4 and 19.2 points per game respectively.
Westbrook’s 6.7 assists ranked among the team leaders, complementing the inside-out presence of Domantas Sabonis, who averaged 15.8 points and 11.4 rebounds in limited appearances due to availability.
However, efficiency and turnover control remained part of the equation, as the guard shot 42.7% from the field and averaged 3.3 turnovers per game.
The Kings finished the season at 22-60, placing them 14th in the Western Conference and outside postseason contention.
That record frames the decision ahead, as the organization evaluates whether continuity or roster adjustments better support a turnaround.
For Westbrook, the situation centers on fit and role clarity within a team that already features high-usage scorers and frontcourt playmakers.
At 37, his production suggests he can still contribute in a defined system, particularly in lineups that prioritize tempo and secondary creation.
The former MVP’s openness to return indicates mutual interest could shape negotiations, but Sacramento’s roster direction will ultimately determine the outcome.
