Kings Remain Favorite to Sign Former NBA MVP Guard in Free Agency: Report

Kings Remain Favorite to Sign Former NBA MVP Guard in Free Agency: Report originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Sacramento Kings entered the offseason with one key position on their roster that was in desperate need of an upgrade.

That would be the starting point guard position that the Kings struggled with mightily after trading star guard De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs at last season’s trade deadline.

Of course, both Malik Monk and Keon Ellis played well at the starting point guard position to finish off last season but it was clear the Sacramento was in desperate need of adding a true point guard to their roster this offseason, and they did just that.

In free agency, the Kings landed Dennis Schroder via a sign-and-trade with the Detroit Pistons and the veteran guard is set to enter next season as the new starting point guard in Sacramento.

While Schroder’s addition is a massive one for the Kings’ backcourt, they have also been linked to a former NBA MVP in free agency and a recent report revealed that they are the favorites to sign him this summer.

Kings remain favorites to sign Russell Westbrook

According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Russell Westbrook will not return to the Denver Nuggets this offseason and the Kings are viewed as the favorites to sign him by many around the league.

“League sources consider the Sacramento Kings the most likely destination for Westbrook, who will turn 37 during the first month of the season. If that's the case, Westbrook would likely come off the bench again and share ballhandling duties with free agency addition Dennis Schroder,” MacMahon wrote.

This is a massive report by MacMahon for both Westbrook and the Kings as it appears as though the 36-year-old guard may be heading to Sacramento for his 18th season in the NBA.

While that may be the case, Westbrook does have many options in free agency but the Kings may be his best option due to their desperate need of a backup point guard behind Schroder, meaning the former MVP could see a large role off the bench next season.

For Westbrook, he is coming off a bounce back season last year with the Nuggets where he proved that he could still be a key piece on a contender’s roster either off the bench or in the starting lineup and that may be the case once again next season with the Kings.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 13, 2025, where it first appeared.