Alright, so get this: Russell Westbrook, the guy who used to be a straight-up tornado on the court, is reportedly getting frozen out by the Sacramento Kings. They’re apparently done with the “Westbrook experience,” according to Jake Fischer, and that’s a huge deal for a player heading into his 19th NBA season.
The Untamed Chaos Is Still Productive, Kinda
Look, Westbrook is 37 now, and yeah, he’s a shell of that explosive MVP we remember. But don’t get it twisted, the dude can still play. He was barely a year removed from a straight-up renaissance with Nikola Jokić on the Denver Nuggets. Plus, it’s only been a few years since he was putting up Sixth Man of the Year-caliber numbers with the L.A. Clippers. Just last season, he was still throwing down 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists a game, even if it was for an atrocious Sacramento Kings team. He can still contribute, in the right spot, for sure.
No Home for Russ, For Now
The problem is, the Kings want to move on. They’re ready to kick off the “Darius Acuff Jr. era” in earnest, and Westbrook, despite his veteran status, takes up minutes and opportunities that they want to give to their young guys. Honestly, you can’t really blame them for focusing on the future. Fischer’s also reporting that the Washington Wizards are out of the running, ever since they snuck that Khris Middleton sign-and-trade into a multi-team deal. So, right now, the living legend doesn’t really have a home. Since leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019, Westbrook has only stuck with one team for more than a single season, meaning he’s been bouncing around on these one-year deals. It seems like that’s his future until he decides to hang it up.
This upcoming season will mark Westbrook’s 19th in the league. Think about that for a second. If he keeps at it, he could be one of the few players ever to hit 20 seasons. What team takes a chance on that veteran fire? Where does this certified hoop icon land next to chase that monumental 20th season? We’re all waiting to see.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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