Russell Westbrook is going with the flow with his NBA future as a free agent
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Russell Westbrook is going with the flow with his NBA future as a free agent originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Russell Westbrook has played 18 seasons in the NBA across all kinds of teams. After a decade as the Oklahoma City Thunder's standout point guard, he started his journey around the league. His latest stint was with the Sacramento Kings in the 2025-26 season, but that has not led to a contract for the 2026-27 campaign.
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At 37, it can be hard to invest in Westbrook. He did show that he was still a positive contributor during the past year with the Kings. He averaged 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game while providing reliable veteran leadership in the locker room.
Russell Westbrook is ready to keep playing in the NBA
Despite his age, it seems Westbrook is committed to playing in the NBA. He still has plenty of peers in the NBA, with Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry still playing at a high level. He might not be the star anymore, but Westbrook is ready to help a team succeed.
Considering he does not have a championship on his resume just yet, he wants to win one before he hangs up his sneakers. Westbrook can be a useful player for any team in the league, but it might be tough because he has a bad reputation with some coaches and front offices.
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The Kings could bring him back, especially as a mentor to young guard Darius Acuff Jr. It will be a positive for him to be around younger players because they will learn from a former league MVP. However, Westbrook might prefer a move to a team that can win a title.
"I don’t think about it honestly. I love playing basketball, and if it happens, it works, and that’s my plan," Westbrook said to CNN about his plans for his NBA future.
It will be challenging for Westbrook to convince teams to sign him. However, his stint with the Kings could benefit him. There are teams that would want reinforcements in the backcourt, and Westbrook could be the key to unlocking a team's potential with his energy and playmaking.
More NBA news:
- How the Domantas Sabonis trade away from Sacramento almost happened
- Darius Acuff Jr. gets rave reviews from former point guard superstar
- The reason why DeMar DeRozan got waived by the Sacramento Kings
- How Russell Westbrook's decision away from basketball could lead to his career after the NBA
- Why the Kings are seen as the biggest loser of the 2026 NBA Finals