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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 21: Russell Westbrook #18 of the Sacramento Kings dribble the ball during their game against the Toronto Raptors at Golden 1 Center on January 21, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The Sacramento Kings have the worst record in the NBA. It has been as bad of a season as they could have put together with a lot of expensive veterans on the roster. Now, several players are out for the season after having surgery.
Russell Westbrook was unsigned for most of the offseason before agreeing to a deal with the Kings. Westbrook’s stats are slightly better than they were a year ago with the Nuggets. With so many injuries, Westbrook is now starting for them at the point guard spot.
Despite the terrible season, Westbrook claims that the team is still trying to win and still practicing good habits. He took umbrage with some reporters’ statements after a game against the Pelicans.
GettySacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook shoots the ball. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Sacramento Kings Guard Russell Westbrook Goes After Reporters
After the game against New Orleans, Westbrook made it known he didn’t like how the Kings are being talked about.
“You guys have a lot of opinions about how we do what we doing. What about you? You make a lot of statements and broad statements that you have no context, so where do you get your context? Are you in practice? Are you in our film session? Are you anywhere around our building? Do you know me? No, you don’t know me. You make a lot of comments as though you do know me.”
Westbrook continued to go after a specific reporter, interrogating him about knowing him or the Kings. He then opened it up to the room and started talking to another reporter about other things. Another reporter pointed out that the team has the worst record in the league and is bottom-three in offense and defense.
Then, Westbrook continues to canvass the room.
“Your guys’ job is to talk about the game, what’s happening in the game. Not stir up a bunch of, I don’t want to cuss here because I don’t want to get fined, but stir up a bunch of stuff that’s not accurate. And that’s my problem.”
GettySacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook dribbles the ball. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Russell Westbrook Likely Won’t Return to Sacramento Next Year
With how poorly this year has gone, the Kings are likely going to make a lot of changes. Westbrook is unlikely to be on the roster next season, as he is just on a one-year deal anyway. He is also 37 years old and has been on three different teams in the last three seasons.
Sacramento is currently one of the many teams in the NBA engaged in tanking so they get their shot at the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. With how loaded the top of the draft is, adding one of the top three or four guys could end up changing the direction of the franchise.
The Kings have decisions to make on DeMar DeRozan, Zach Lavine, and Domantas Sabonis. All are veterans on expensive contracts. That will be the first order of business once the season ends.
Ryan Stano Ryan Stano covers the NBA for Heavy.com. He has been covering sports since 2017, covering the NFL, College Football, College Basketball, and the NBA. His work has been featured on Yahoo, Bleacher Report, FanSided, and Sports Illustrated. More about Ryan Stano
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