NBA Free Agency Rumors: There's a Snag in Russell Westbrook Signing

As we head to August, NBA free agency has pretty much run its course. Russell Westbrook is the one, most notable free agent still on the board. For weeks, it's sounded like he and the Sacramento Kings would work something out, but it hasn't happened yet.

According to Kings beat writer and broadcaster Matt George, the holdup has to do with the Kings' crowded backcourt.

On the Kings/Russell Westbrook front:

Both parties have been talking and have had mutual interest since free agency began. That's been well known.

From what I gather, the Kings are still looking to move a player like Devin Carter or Malik Monk before they can bring Westbrook…
— Matt George (@MattGeorgeSAC) July 28, 2025

George says Sacramento would like to trade either Devin Carter or Malik Monk in order to make room on the guard depth chart.

Point guard Dennis Schroder was signed as a free agent earlier in July, and along with Monk, Carter, Keon Ellis and Zach LaVine, that's just too many in the backcourt.

The 36-year-old Westbrook is a nine-time All-Star and former MVP, who has averaged 21.2 points, 8.0 assists and 7.0 rebounds in his 17-year career.

If he signs with the Kings, he'd be a familiar face to some in the locker room, as he teamed with Schroder while with the LA Lakers a couple of years back, and before that the two were also teammates with the OKC Thunder in 2018-19. Westbrook also shared a locker room with Domantas Sabonis in the latter's rookie year in 2016-17.

Sacramento is an overwhelming favorite to sign Westbrook, with the New York Knicks far back in second in the betting odds.

Westbrook opted out of his $3.4 million contract after spending the past season with the Denver Nuggets.