Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Will Schroder’s arrival impact Sacramento Kings’ interest in Russell Westbrook?

Russell Westbrook is free to sign with any team after opting out of his player option with the Denver Nuggets.

Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The arrival of Dennis Schroder has not cooled the Sacramento Kings’ interest in point guard Russell Westbrook. According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints on Monday, the 36-year-old veteran remains on the Californian franchise’s wish list for the next NBA season . Malcolm Brogdon also appears as an alternative being studied.

“Russell Westbrook and Malcolm Brogdon are the two names that have been coming up most in conversations about how the Sacramento Kings will round out their roster this offseason,” Siegel reported. “The word going around the NBA Summer League is that the Kings still want Westbrook, even after the trade with the Detroit Pistons for Dennis Schroder.”

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Sacramento Kings’ Search for Point Guard Continues

The Sacramento Kings have been looking for reinforcements at point guard since trading De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs . While Malik Monk had been filling that role in a makeshift capacity, the arrival of Schroder in a sign-and-trade with the Pistons has added depth to the rotation. Even so, the Kings are still searching for a third option.

Russell Westbrook is free to sign with any team after opting out of his player option with the Denver Nuggets, the team he played for in the 2024-25 season. It’s worth noting that interest in the player arose even before the Schroder trade, especially with Scott Perry, the franchise’s new general manager, being a fan of the veteran.

Russell Westbrook is 505 Points away from becoming the highest scoring Point Guard in NBA history 🐐

Is Russ underrated? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/rGzruGmMnh
— Beastbrook (@Beastbr00k0) July 20, 2025

Although no longer at his peak, Westbrook performed well for the Nuggets. He averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.4 steals in 75 games during the team’s 50-32 regular season.

In theory, the experience of the 2016-17 season MVP would put him at the top of the queue for the main point guard spot with Schroder coming off the bench, a situation that has already happened in the duo’s previous stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2018-19) and Los Angeles Lakers (2022-23).

Kings will have to create roster space to sign Westbrook

However, the franchise would need to make room on the roster to sign Westbrook. With the addition of forward Doug McDermott on Monday, Sacramento has already filled all 15 roster spots for next season.

With space only for a two-way contract – something that would probably not be accepted by the number 0 –, the franchise would need to free up a spot on its roster to make it possible to sign the veteran.

Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.