Russell Westbrook is approaching free agency without making his next destination a priority, saying his focus remains on playing basketball as the 37-year-old guard evaluates his options for the 2026-27 season.
“I don’t think about it honestly. I love playing basketball and if it happens, it works and that’s my plan,” Westbrook said of his free-agent status.
Westbrook enters the offseason after spending the 2025-26 season with the Sacramento Kings, who are exploring the possibility of bringing him back. Jake Fischer reported that Sacramento is considering a return for Westbrook while also evaluating veteran guard Victor Oladipo as it builds around No. 7 overall pick Darius Acuff Jr.
The Kings are coming off a 22-60 season, which left them 14th in the Western Conference and ended their third consecutive season without a playoff appearance. Their offseason has centered on developing younger talent, with Acuff becoming the latest significant piece of that approach.
Westbrook could provide Sacramento with an experienced ballhandler capable of immediately taking pressure off its rookie point guard. He played 64 games last season, starting 58, and averaged 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.7 assists in 29.0 minutes per game.
His 34.3% assist percentage ranked 11th in the NBA, highlighting the playmaking value he could bring to a developing roster. Westbrook also shot 33.8% from three-point range, his best three-point percentage since the 2022-23 season.
The veteran guard’s career résumé remains among the most accomplished of his generation. Westbrook is a former MVP, nine-time All-Star, two-time scoring champion and three-time assists leader, while his career averages stand at 20.9 points, 8.0 assists and 6.9 rebounds across 1,301 games.
For Westbrook, however, the immediate priority is not identifying his next team. His comments indicate that he is leaving the decision to the market while maintaining his stated desire to continue playing, with Sacramento among the teams that could offer a familiar environment and a defined veteran role.
