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Sacramento Kings general manager Scott Perry has two roster spots to fill for the 2026-27 season.
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One of those spots should probably go to a veteran player who can mentor rookie point guard Darius Acuff Jr. while providing much-needed depth at that position.
Perry apparently has two former All-Stars in mind, one who has already endeared himself to the organization and another who seeks a return to the NBA after a once-promising career was derailed by injuries.
League sources told ESPN the Kings have had discussions with Russell Westbrook and Victor Oladipo. Westbrook started 58 games for Sacramento last season. Oladipo hasn’t played a game in the NBA since 2023.
Westbrook, who will turn 38 in November, is an 18-year NBA veteran, a nine-time All-Star and a nine-time All-NBA selection who was named the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2017. Westbrook spent the 2025-26 season with the Kings after agreeing to a $3.6 million veteran minimum contract on Oct. 13, nine days before the season opener.
Westbrook came to Sacramento to serve as the backup to Dennis Schroder, but he quickly won the starting job. Westbrook appeared in 64 games, averaging 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.3 steals.
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Westbrook is the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles (209). He ranks fifth in assists (10,351), 14th in points scored (27,176) and 15th in steals (2,038).
Perry and Kings coach Doug Christie spoke highly of Westbrook throughout the season, praising his intensity and leadership. Perry downplayed the idea of re-signing Westbrook earlier this summer, saying he had outplayed his minimum contract, but Westbrook remains unsigned more than a month after the start of free agency.
Oladipo, 34, has averaged 16.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.6 steals over 10 season with the Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers, Houston Rockets and Miami Heat. He hasn’t played more than 36 games in a season since 2017-18.
Oladipo has had three major knee surgeries, two as a result of a ruptured quadriceps tendon in his right knee and one to repair a torn patellar tendon in his left knee.
Oladipo is a two-time All-Star who garnered All-NBA Third Team, All-Defensive First Team and Most Improved Player honors in 2018.
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