On August 3, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported that the Sacramento Kings are interested in signing 37-year-old Russell Westbrook or 34-year-old Victor Oladipo.
Whichever of the two former All-Star guards the Kings pick up would take on the role of backup point guard to rookie Darius Acuff Jr. They’d also have the opportunity to mentor the young guard whom the organization believes has what it takes to be their next superstar.
Which of the two players fits the team the best, and how likely is it that they’d even end up in Sacramento?
Westbrook Already Proved He Belongs in Sacramento
Westbrook signed a one-year minimum contract with the Kings last offseason. While he originally came off the bench behind veteran guard Dennis Schröder, he earned the starting nod in November. Westbrook built strong relationships with young players like Nique Clifford, who idolized the former MVP growing up.
While the Kings finished with a 22-60 record, Westbrook stood out on the stat sheet. He averaged 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game across 64 outings. Despite NBA fans notoriously calling him “Westbrick” because of his poor shooting splits, he made 128 three-pointers, more than any other member of the Kings.
One would think that the Kings would attempt to re-sign him immediately after the season ended, but financial constraints have forced them to wait out free agency. Westbrook believes he outperformed a minimum contract, and he may very well be right. But he’s still available as of now.
The Kings can’t afford to pay Westbrook a standard deal at this point, as they sit just below the luxury tax. Teams like the Washington Wizards and Miami Heat have previously expressed interest in signing him, but neither side has reached a deal. Thus, the Kings are playing the waiting game.
Westbrook Could Be the Perfect Mentor for Acuff
Something else to note is that while the Kings are interested in bringing back Westbrook, the feeling may not be mutual. This is Westbrook’s 19th NBA season, and he has yet to win a championship. He may feel it’s in his best interest to join a contender and play a minimal role, rather than act as a mentor on a Kings team in the middle of a rebuild.
If the Kings were to land Westbrook, he’d be a great guide for Acuff as he takes on the role of “point guard of the future” in Sacramento. Acuff has generated plenty of hype, and who better than one of the greatest point guards of all time to offer him advice?
The two players have many similarities in their skill sets. Both are incredibly speedy with the ball in their hands, and they know exactly when to showcase a burst of speed to reach their spots.
In college, Acuff demonstrated his playmaking prowess, averaging 6.4 assists per game, which led the SEC. Westbrook is fifth in NBA history in terms of career assists. He certainly has plenty of advice to share with the young guard.
The all-time leader in triple-doubles, Westbrook has made a living through finding open teammates and giving them the best opportunity to score. He can help Acuff get accustomed to the NBA’s tempo and utilizing his facilitating skills in a faster-paced offense.
There’s no denying that Westbrook would be an incredible mentor to Acuff. There are few point guards in the NBA who can provide the guidance the nine-time All-NBA honoree can. The only question is whether Sacramento is where he wants to sign as the end of his storied career looms ahead.
Oladipo’s Road Back to the NBA Runs Through Sacramento
The last time Oladipo played an NBA minute was April 22, 2023, for the Miami Heat. In that game, he tore his left patellar tendon, a season-ending injury that forced him to rehab for months.
Later, he returned to professional basketball, playing in China starting in October 2025. He entered the G League pool in November, landed with the Wisconsin Herd, and was later traded to the Cleveland Charge.
Now, Oladipo is seeking to rejoin the NBA, and the Kings have expressed interest. The team’s general manager, Scott Perry, and assistant general manager, BJ Armstrong, attended a workout Oladipo hosted for executives from across the league. He has since privately worked out with the Kings in Sacramento. This is a sign that they have genuine interest in the seasoned professional.
In the 2017-18 season, a year he spent with the Indiana Pacers, Oladipo won Most Improved Player, earned Third Team All-NBA honors, and made the All-Defensive First Team. He was a well-rounded, yet explosive guard. He could attack the rim with authority on one possession, then force a turnover the next.
Analysts have criticized Acuff for his poor defensive performances and lack of effort on that end of the floor. Oladipo can coach the rookie on defense and provide real-time guidance. Injuries derailed much of his career, but the process of motivating himself to come back stronger can also be relayed to Acuff.
Looking at the signing itself, Oladipo would be a gamble, to say the least. It’s one thing for a team to take on an older veteran; it’s another to sign one who hasn’t performed at an NBA level in more than three years.
The ultimate question is what specific role they’d want Oladipo to play within games. If they’re looking for mentorship and not someone to play 20-25 minutes per night, he’d be a perfect fit. If they expect him to command the second unit from day one, that’s a lot of pressure on his shoulders. He hasn’t played a fully healthy season since 2018.
Sacramento Offers Oladipo the Right Situation
Oladipo deserves a chance at the NBA level, and Sacramento may be the perfect setting. The Kings are in the middle of a rebuild, though they’re very close to the luxury tax, which limits their flexibility despite the playoffs being out of the picture.
The new lottery rules do not reward the league’s worst teams as heavily. Teams ranked fourth-10th possess three “lottery balls,” whereas the top three end up with just two.
The question of Oladipo vs. Westbrook isn’t necessarily a make-or-break one. The Kings weren’t healthy last year, but found themselves in what would now be the sweet spot for a top pick. With players like Domantas Sabonis, De’Andre Hunter, and Zach LaVine back from injury, their floor is decently high.
For what it’s worth, the Kings’ play-by-play commentator Mark Jones posted on Instagram that he worked out with Oladipo in Miami. He shared that the guard’s bounce and burst looked on point. Along with that, he has an “unyielding and unrelenting… desire to get back into the league.”
It’s important to take everything with a grain of salt, but Jones, someone who’s been in the commentary business for 36 years, giving such high praise to Oladipo should not be taken lightly. Granted, Jones witnessed Oladipo put in work on a practice floor, not against NBA-level competition.
Sacramento may be the perfect landing spot for Oladipo. But Oladipo may not be the perfect option for Sacramento. The Kings want to sign the player who gives them the best chance to win. Who exactly is that?
Westbrook Is the Safer Bet, but Money Could Decide
The main difference between Oladipo and Westbrook is how much they can immediately produce.
Westbrook has deep chemistry with almost every current King, apart from those drafted this year. He just averaged 15-6-5 and was a key reason the team stayed competitive in games they had no business winning. He’s comfortable in the modern NBA and in head coach Doug Christie‘s system.
Oladipo, on the other hand, has missed significant time due to injury. He would be an entirely new face in Sacramento and lacks the explosiveness he once had. Westbrook may be 37, but he can still turn losses into wins. He is the better player at this juncture, but that fact alone doesn’t guarantee he’ll wind up with the Kings.
Say the franchise had the same amount of interest in both players. Oladipo would likely accept a minimum “prove-it” contract with the Kings. Westbrook has already proven he’s capable of being a difference-maker thanks to his impressive campaign last year. Now, he’s looking for money the Kings are unable to offer.
There is, of course, a world where Oladipo turns things around and becomes one of Perry’s best signings to date. However, the Kings are serious about returning to contention status sooner rather than later. Westbrook’s experience with the team’s system and readiness to perform at a high level are the way to go.
Both can provide much-needed guidance to Acuff. Only one comes with the assurance that they can be a spark plug and impact winning. That player is Westbrook. The only question that remains is if he has any interest in being a King again.
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