Kings insiders reportedly have major concerns about Russell Westbrook

According to US sports media F/W columnist Gautam Warrier, the Kings ended Westbrook's long wait to sign with an NBA team. They introduced him with a one-year veteran's minimum contract worth $3.6 million. However, it seems that not everyone within the organization likes this move. Ahn Fire Digital reports that while Sabonis, DeRozan and LaVine recruited Westbrook and are excited to play with him, there are others in the building who have major concerns about the future Hall of Famer. Sources said, "Some members of the Kings are concerned about Westbrook's poor shooting, critical decision-making ability, and habit of turning the ball over too many times."

This is not the first time these concerns have been raised about Westbrook. The 36-year-old can be a little inconsistent on the court, and he hasn't been a good shooter over the years. Westbrook averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.5 blocks per game for the Denver Nuggets in the 2024-25 season. He shot 44.9% from the field and only 32.3% from beyond the arc. Westbrook was also careless with the ball, averaging 3.2 turnovers per game despite playing only 27.9 minutes per game.

Nonetheless, Westbrook, who has signed a non-guaranteed contract, does bring a lot to the team at this stage of his career. The nine-time All-Star excels in transition and plays with a certain edge that a team like the Kings can do. However, his nature is clearly another cause for concern. "Some members of the Kings organization were also worried about how Westbrook would react if he didn't finish the game in the fourth quarter. Sources said Westbrook pouted behind the scenes when he exited the Los Angeles Clippers and Nuggets game at a critical moment."

No player will be happy about being on the bench in the fourth quarter. They all want to be on the court when it matters most, and Westbrook is no exception. Is he probably more frustrated about it than most players? This report indicates that this is indeed the case, and if true, then Westbrook will have to swallow his anger. He'll be Schroeder's backup and there will be some nights when he's not on the court in the fourth quarter. A lot of great players have been through this at the end of their careers, and there's no shame in it. Westbrook is entering his 18th season in the NBA, and most players with so much wear and tear on their bodies aren't even close to being able to step on the court for long periods of time.

Still, even if Westbrook doesn't cause any problems, it's hard to see how the season ends on a positive note for the Kings. This was not a well-constructed roster, and one NBA executive thought they would be terrible. "I think it's going to be a disaster," the executive said. "DeMar doesn't shoot three-pointers, Zach doesn't guard anyone, and Westbrook can't make a shot." With a 40-42 record in the 2024-25 season, the Kings hope to prove all the doubters wrong. They open the season Wednesday night ET against the Phoenix Suns. By then, how many points do you think Westbrook can score in his debut with the Kings?