Russell Westbrook is unsigned as the NBA season opens. Strong mutual interest with the Sacramento Kings surfaces, given their need for a reserve point guard and Westbrook’s playoff-energy. The fit hinges on money and roster moves; Sacramento could slot him behind Dennis Schroder, with Malik Monk as a secondary ball handler and Devin Carter waiting in the wings. The deal would reshape bench scoring and pace, but tax implications and potential end-of-season moves loom large.

Westbrook's history with Sabonis, Schroder, DeRozan and LaVine is noted, and the Kings are seen as open to bold moves that could involve DeRozan, LaVine or Sabonis if the price is right. A basketball-chemistry bet sits against the risk of aging efficiency and defensive gaps. The unknowns will test whether Westbrook fits Sacramento's late-season plan or if another avenue emerges.

Meanwhile, Westbrook’s saga threads through Denver and a playoff clash with Aaron Gordon, adding context to his candidacy as a high-energy bench piece. The season will reveal if the money and roles align, or if the waiting game extends into the start of the year.

Westbrook opted out of a $3.5M option with Denver, betting on a bigger role on the open market. He remains unsigned as teams weigh whether a 36-year-old guard can still unlock second-unit playmaking in a crowded guard market.

In Denver, insiders question why a player who can still run a dynamic offense hasn’t found a home yet, citing his 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists in 75 games and his energy as assets even when fit was volatile. The Knicks and Kings were among pursuers who cooled, and the market hasn’t rewarded his value as a reserve. For fantasy managers, a late-signing to a team needing a steady creator off the bench could unlock value in minutes, assists and chaos-free ballhandling.