Russell Westbrook is open to returning to the Sacramento Kings, he told media members this week.
“It’s been great for me here. If I’m welcomed back then I’ll be back, but that’s not up to me. It’s kind of how it’s been for me the last couple summers and seasons, unfortunately,” he said.
Westbrook is still highly productive at age 37. This season, he was still able to average 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals this season in 29 minutes per game. In his 64 games, he had 6 triple doubles and 16 double doubles.
His main thing is being wanted.
“I wouldn’t mind coming back. Anywhere I’m wanted, I’m there. I want to be able to be helpful, be productive, but I also I understand it’s a business,” he said.
And to him, trying to win a championship isn’t everything.
“Winning a championship is not guaranteed. It’s not up to me, things have to align, there is so many different things that have to align for you to be able to win a championship in this league,” he said. “Sometimes you can be in that position and it doesn’t work out, and that’s it. So, for me, it’s just being in a place where I’m wanted, having fun, enjoying the game, and to me that’s most important.”
The Kings only rotational point guards currently are Westbrook, Devin Carter, and Killian Hayes.
Please, for the love of god, no more Westbrook. I never wanted WB, and neither did any other NBA team except the fucking Kings.
No more DDR. No more Levine-if that’s possible.
And good thing Kings got rid of Davion. It’s not like he put up 28 in the playin or starts for the Heat.
Kings are great jettisoning their talented plays and accumulating shit.
Davion makes me realize that any asset in the Kings hands will underachieve and be less valuable as part of a trash franchise.
A good franchise will maximize and develop talent, Kangz just misuse people and fail to develop them or keep under contract.
I think some credit should be given the Miami culture and system. They squeeze all the talent from their players.
That team single handedly got Gabe Vincent a $33M contract with the Lakers.
That has to be the #1 move is to cut ties with DDR. I doubt if Westbrook comes back, but if he does that would be truly Kangz.
That is what we call keeping your options open. ????
I really believe Russ loves playing the game of basketball. From that, he will go anywhere he can get minutes, as evidenced by him joining the Kings on a vet minimum this past summer.
It ain’t about the money. He declined his $3.4M PO in Denver last year to sign with the Kings for $2.3M. Denver basically told him he would not be apart of the rotation.
I think you are spot on, just cos he wants to play should not mean that the Kings should have signed him or sign him next year
Let’s bring everyone back. It’ll be much better this time around.
Sell the Team!!!
I can just imagine Vivek in his room full of sycophants musing the idea of a healthy starting 5 of Russ, Zach, DDR, Keegan, and Sabonis returning next season.
Vivek: “It’s the best starting 5 in the league, right? Best staring 5? Best starting 5. BEST STARTING 5 IN THE LEAGUE! STARTING 5 ROCKS!”
Gotta have Russ to show Acuff the ropes!!!
Forget where I heard this but Westbrook is like Chris Paul they are great for bigs as playing with them is good for their game, can rack up assists or use them as screeners and for the pick and roll game. However that might change if they are to mentor a young PG, which might mean less game time for them?
The Good:
1st ballot HoFer
A professional athlete who gives maximum effort all the time
The only Sacramento King to have ever won an MVP (All-Star MVP Mitch Rock Richmond does not count). Oscar “The Big O” Robertson won the MVP 1963-64 averaging 31.4 ppg/9.9 rpg/11.0 apg for the Cincinnati Royals.
The best PG on the current roster, at this time
Led the team in assists (6.7 apg)
Led the team in steals (1.3 spg)
Led the team in 3PM (2nd in total points
The Bad:
Led the team in turnovers 209 (almost double Clifford 116 at number 2)
2nd in FGA (839) DeRozan 1005 FGA
4th in minutes
5th in games played
I like Russell Westbrook as a player (don’t know the person, but players, coaches and front offices adore him) and the Kings are better with him than without him (IMO). That speaks volumes for this roster.
For this team and their future, where you put him, is the rub. As he frankly states – If you want me to play and be on your team – I want to be here. I believe that GM Perry accepted Russ under those words as a commitment, and that explains his high usage. When you are the Kings, Westbrook being your best point guard (even when Shröeder was here) explains the problem in the whole. As pointed out, he turned down sparse playing time to return to the Denver Nuggets).
We/you/me/him/her/they/us/them have all said is the same thing: The Sacramento Kings need a direction. If you are going to rebuild – get a young PG (no, not Killian Hayes), sink or swim. Trial by fire. If you are concerned about wins – sure, bring back Russell Westbrook.
May 10th is 25 days away.
can this narrative that he gives 100% effort all the time be put to bed…do y’all not watch him on defense? He barely tries at all unless he thinks he can shoot for a steal
only way this should even be considered is if it’s on an understanding that he is going to float between DNPs and 15 min a game
I’m not sure he is capable of that. I think his super power is the way he plays, he is a bit like a shark in that he has to be in motion and playing full out. Its a strength and a weakness, which why only the Kings were interested in him this year
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