The long wait is over: free agent Russell Westbrook has found a new team. The playmaker becomes Dennis Schröder’s teammate.
As his agent told Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management ESPN Westbrook has agreed to a contract with the Sacramento Kings. The deal is expected to officially close this week.
The 2017 MVP was in contact with the franchise from California’s capital throughout the offseason, and now the 36-year-old has decided to sign and will thus play his 18th season in the NBA.
Westbrook joins Dennis Schröder, Malik Monk, Zach LaVine, Devin Carter and Keon Ellis in the Kings’ backcourt. Sacramento was specifically looking for an experienced playmaker who could come off the bench. The Kings’ second guard ranked 28th in scoring last season and 29th in bench assists per game.
Last season, Westbrook played 75 games (36 as a starter) for the Denver Nuggets and averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals – with a shooting rate of 44.9 percent from the field. Particularly noteworthy: his 52 percent hit rate on two-point throws was the best of his entire career.
Since leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019, Westbrook has played for five different teams, including the Rockets, Wizards, Lakers, Clippers and most recently the Nuggets. Now a new chapter begins for the nine-time All-Star.