NBA insider Jake Fischer said he has effectively ruled out both the Washington Wizards and the Sacramento Kings as destinations for Russell Westbrook. The 37-year-old former MVP finished the 2025-26 season with Sacramento and entered free agency as an unrestricted player. Over 64 games , 58 of them as a starter , Westbrook averaged 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals while shooting 42.7 % from the field and 33.8 % from three-point range. He logged 29 minutes per contest and provided veteran playmaking for the Kings’ backcourt.
Fischer explained that he has not heard any new information since the Wizards expressed interest before the free-agency bell. He added that Washington’s recent sign-and-trade that returned Khris Middleton to D.C. effectively removed Westbrook from the Wizards’ roster plans. "I truly have not heard any updates on him," Fischer said, noting that the Middleton move signaled a different direction for Washington. He also said he does not believe Sacramento wants Westbrook back and that the veteran does not wish to return there.
Westbrook’s production in Sacramento was solid but fell short of his career averages. His scoring dipped compared with his MVP years, and his three-point efficiency lingered below the league median for guards. Still, his ability to handle a starter’s workload and generate assists kept the Kings’ backcourt moving. The veteran’s defensive activity, reflected in 1.3 steals per game, added value beyond pure scoring.
The Wizards’ recent acquisition of Middleton indicates a focus on wing scoring and spacing. Westbrook’s high-tempo, isolation-heavy style would clash with a system built around a dedicated wing forward. While Westbrook enjoyed a successful stint in Washington during the 2020-21 season, the franchise’s current roster construction suggests limited room for a point-guard who demands primary ball-first usage.
Sacramento, having charted a different offseason path, appears to be moving away from adding a 37-year-old with a sizable salary. The Kings did not signal any intent to re-sign Westbrook, and the team’s roster moves point toward developing younger talent rather than revisiting a veteran-heavy approach.
As free agency progresses, Westbrook’s next destination remains uncertain. Teams evaluating veteran backcourt depth will need to weigh the experience he brings against the limited upside associated with age. Until a suitor emerges, the former MVP’s future hangs in the balance, and his market will shape how other franchises approach veteran contracts this offseason.
