Russell Westbrook signing with Kings just before start of NBA season

Russell Westbrook finally has a new home.

In what has become a yearly habit, the former NBA MVP award winner is switching teams, having agreed to a contract to play for the Sacramento Kings a week before the start of the 2025-26 NBA season.

The deal is for one-year, $3.6 million, according to insider Chris Haynes, who adds that Westbrook is expected to sign the contract Thursday and join the team Friday.

It will be Westbrook’s sixth different team he has played for since 2019 and seventh new franchise overall after playing 11 consecutive seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Westbrook, 36, projects to play a decent amount for the Kings, who have just Dennis Schroder, Keon Ellis and Malik Monk in their backcourt.

ESPN’s official Kings depth chart lists Domantas Sabonis as their starting center, while Demar DeRozan profiles as the starting power forward, along with Zach LaVine as their small forward.

Sacramento made the play-in tournament last season with a 40-42 record, but sold their best player, DeAaron Fox, to the Spurs at the trade deadline.

The two years prior, the Kings had a solid run of success, winning 46 and 48 games, respectively, and pushing the Warriors to a Game 7 in the first round of the 2023 Western Conference playoffs.

The added depth of Westbrook might help them compete for a playoff spot, but it is unlikely to do them much more.

Westbrook was mainly reduced to a bench role for the Nuggets last season, playing in 75 games and scoring 13.3 points per game with 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists in 27.9 minutes per game.

Westbrook’s role in Denver was mostly replaced by the return of reserve guard Bruce Brown, as well as ex-Knick Tim Hardaway Jr.