Russell Westbrook, entering his 18th NBA season, has agreed to a deal with the Sacramento Kings. The veteran guard emphasized he has no intention of retiring after the 2025-26 season.
During his introductory press conference, Westbrook said, “Family, my supporters, the ability to be grateful and blessed to be able to wake up and have limbs and things at work and be able to use them… I think it’s something I’d never take for granted.”
The former MVP and nine-time All-Star aims to provide depth and veteran leadership in Sacramento’s second unit. Westbrook highlighted the importance of influencing younger players, explaining, “My job… is to be able to learn about guys’ journeys off the floor, how they got to this point… I look forward to doing that daily.”
Westbrook acknowledged the excitement of joining a passionate fan base at Golden 1 Center. “Fans are one of the reasons why I love to play the game… feed off their energy and ultimately contribute when the opportunity presents itself,” he said.
Despite a reduced role last season with the Denver Nuggets, Westbrook’s playmaking and competitiveness remain key assets. He reflected on his motivation, stating, “The chip has always been on my shoulder. It won’t go nowhere until I’m done playing… I know what I’m capable of when given the opportunity.”
The 35-year-old veteran recently recovered from right-hand ligament surgery performed in May. While he received a lucrative offer from a Chinese team, Westbrook confirmed he remained committed to returning to the NBA.
Westbrook also emphasized his approach to winning, saying, “Being a champion is hard… it’s not up to me. You have to be really lucky, and a lot of things have to align… I don’t put pressure on myself to add certain things to my resume.”
The guard maintains strong connections within the Kings organization, having previously played with Domantas Sabonis and Dennis Schroder, and shares Los Angeles ties with DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. He also praised new front-office members, including GM Scott Perry and assistant GM BJ Armstrong.
Westbrook, who averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds across 68 games with Denver last season, looks to extend his legacy as a leader both on and off the floor. “I try to be the best I could possibly be… we’re all human. Given the grace we give each other is important,” he added.
According to Chris Haynes, Westbrook has no plans to retire after the 2025-26 season, which is 18th year in the NBA.
