Russell Westbrook’s lengthy look forward to a brand new squad has lastly ended, because the 2017 MVP has signed with the Sacramento Kings.
He needed to be a bit affected person, however Russell Westbrook‘s return to the NBA is getting the royal remedy.
Per Shams Charania of ESPN, Westbrook has agreed to a take care of the Sacramento Kings, who will host his 18th NBA season. Westbrook, who turns 37 in November, spent final yr with the Denver Nuggets and, in response to Charania, will signal a one-year, $3.6 million veteran’s minimal contract.
Greatest-known for his work with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (2008-19), which incorporates an MVP run in 2017, Westbrook has turn out to be one of the statistically completed backcourt abilities in NBA historical past since getting into because the fourth decide of the 2008 NBA Draft out of UCLA.
With 75 extra assists, for instance, Westbrook will turn out to be the eighth Affiliation rep to dish out 10,000 in his profession, an illustrious record that already consists of LeBron James, Magic Johnson, and all-time chief John Stockton. Amongst lively gamers, Westbrook ranks within the high 10 in assists, factors, rebounds, and steals. Westbrook can also be the NBA’s all-time chief in triple-doubles at 203.
Although it was off from what he was placing up in his prime, Westbrook made sterling contributions as a Nugget final yr, averaging 13.3 factors and 6.1 assists in 75 appearances (36 begins) en path to giving the eventual champion Thunder all they might deal with in a seven-game convention semifinal set.
“He’s going to play in assault mode,” Nuggets head coach David Adelman mentioned after Westbrook put forth a clutch within the postseason opener in opposition to one other former employer, the Los Angeles Clippers, per Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. “I don’t assume he’s going to vary after 17 years. If he sees any person in entrance of him one-on-one, he’s going to assault.”
Westbrook, who has additionally frolicked with Houston, Washington, and each Los Angeles golf equipment, now joins a Sacramento group contemporary off a Play-In Event disappointment. A part of the explanation for his or her early elimination was maybe buying and selling off a great little bit of their depth on the commerce deadline, which acquired Zach LaVine and the since-departed Jonas Valanciunas.
Charania’s report notes that Westbrook has “bonds” with Sacramento stars LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Domantas Sabonis whereas additionally mentioning his Oklahoma Metropolis historical past with fellow California capital newcomer Dennis Schroder. The Kings are getting into a brand new period with Scott Perry as common supervisor and Doug Christie embarking on his first tour as full-time head coach.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
