Breaking: Russell Westbrook Finally Signs Deal for This Season

And there it is. Finally, after a summer-long wait, and just a week before the 2025-26 NBA season begins, Russell Westbrook has signed his long-awaited deal with the team that most ardently pursued him all offseason, the Sacramento Kings.

BREAKING: Nine-time NBA All-Star Russell Westbrook has agreed on a deal to sign with the Sacramento Kings, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management tells ESPN. The 2017 league MVP enters his 18th NBA season. pic.twitter.com/Y0SrfKJrcf
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 15, 2025

The signing is expected to come on Thursday, and he'll join the team on Friday. Their season begins in exactly a week. Insider Chris Haynes reports that it's a one-year, $3.6 million contract (the league minimum). A slight increase from the $3.4 million he left on the table when he declined his option with the Denver Nuggets after last season.

Westbrook opted out of Nuggets contract after last season, now signs with Kings

However, it can't be ignored that Russ's chances at competing for a championship took a huge hit in the downgrade from the Nuggets to the Kings. It remains a curious move as to why he decided to move on from a good situation in Denver, that, by all accounts, seemed to go well last season. He averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 boards and 6.1 assists, playing about 27 minutes off the bench.

Westbrook will enter his 18th NBA season playing for his sixth team in seven years. He provides point guard depth behind starter Dennis Schroder for Sacramento. Shams Charania reports that he "has bonds" with his new Kings teammates Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine.