On Oct. 22, 2025, veteran guard Russell Westbrook outlined the factors that led him to sign with the Sacramento Kings, pointing to existing friendships on the roster and on-court familiarity gained over the years. “I have a lot of friends and guys I’ve played with on this team,” he told reporters, adding that those relationships made the move feel “natural” even though the deal came together quickly.
Westbrook also described how he intends to lead the locker room. He said leadership extends beyond game nights, emphasizing daily conversations about teammates’ personal journeys and motivations. The former MVP added that skepticism about Sacramento’s outlook fuels him and dismissed the notion that this could be his final NBA season, replying simply, “Yeah, right.”
Impact of the Murray Extension
Analyst Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron wrote that the club had little choice but to lock up forward Keegan Murray, labeling him the most successful home-grown talent the Kings have retained. Murray’s new deal is projected to consume roughly 14–15 percent of the salary cap in future seasons, an amount Gozlan considers one of the roster’s most reasonable contracts when compared with similar players league-wide.
Even so, Sacramento’s financial outlook is tightening. Gozlan projects the 2026-27 payroll to exceed $200 million, a figure that would place the team in luxury-tax territory unless significant changes are made. He characterizes Murray as the only established player on the roster with clear long-term security under the current plan.
Maxiell Joins Stockton Staff
The organization also added a new face to its coaching ranks. Former Detroit Pistons forward Jason Maxiell has accepted an assistant-coaching position with the G League’s Stockton Kings, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Maxiell spent 10 seasons in the NBA—eight of them in Detroit—averaging 6.1 points and 4.4 rebounds across 523 games.
Source: HoopsRumors
