Russell Westbrook opens to Kings reunion if he’s wanted back – NBC Sports Bay Area & California
SACRAMENT – Russell Westbrook isn’t yet ready to call it quits on his NBA profession. The 37-year-old veteran level guard can also be open to re-signing with the Kings, which might be an enormous step ahead within the crew’s offseason plans.
Talking to reporters at Golden 1 Center on Monday, the nine-time All-Star and triple-double king spoke positively about his first season in Sacramento and mentioned he’s greater than prepared to re-up with the Kings.
“It’s been great for me here,” Westbrook mentioned. “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 for the last couple of summers and seasons.”
Deciding whether or not or not to convey Westbrook back for an additional season within the state capital is among the many prime priorities for Kings common supervisor Scott Perry and coach Doug Christie.
During a season during which the Kings have been removed from aggressive, not to mention a playoff contender, Westbrook provided some of the few highlights.
After signing a one-year, $3.6 million contract Just days earlier than coaching camp started, Westbrook averaged 15.2 factors, a team-leading 6.7 assists and 5.4 rebounds in 58 video games with the Kings.
More importantly, Westbrook supplied a really younger Kings crew with much-needed management. Sacramento has a number of different veterans like Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, nevertheless it was Westbrook who was probably the most vocal of the three when it got here to setting the tone.
“Leadership is probably, to me, one of the best traits that I really enjoy the most because you can see it,” Westbrook mentioned. “From yr to yr, I’ve had many younger gamers that I’ve been with come to me 5 to 10 years later and inform me moments that helped them all through the method.
“Anytime I’m able to have an opportunity to be able to do that, I look forward to it. If that’s here, I embrace it and look forward to doing that, especially with the young guys we have here.”
Westbrook is amongst a number of veterans on the Kings roster whose future with the crew is unsure after they completed with solely 22 wins and fell means in need of expectations.
LaVine and DeRozan may additionally be shopped round on the commerce market relying on how Perry chooses to assault the offseason.
At his age, Westbrook may not draw the eye in free company that he may as soon as have. Given how we carried out with the Kings, nevertheless, there should not be a scarcity of fits within the offseason.
“Anywhere I’m wanted, I’m there,” Westbrook mentioned. “I want to be able to be helpful, be productive. I also understand it’s a business. I’ve been around a long time, so I understand a lot of different variables for that. That’s out of my control. My job is to be ready, be prepared and be ready to go.”
Most Kings followers could be delighted if Westbrook is prepared to run it back in a Sacramento jersey.
