Not going to China? Reports reveal a strong mutual interest between Westbrook and the Kings, with a signing possibly finalized before the season opener.

On October 11th Beijing time, news about Westbrook receiving a major offer from a Chinese team has spread throughout the league. Insider Shams recently reported a strong mutual interest between Westbrook and the Kings. It seems Westbrook might still continue playing in the NBA.

Shams said on the program: “There is strong mutual interest between Russell Westbrook and the Sacramento Kings. The Kings currently require a backup point guard. Last season, their bench scoring and assists both ranked 29th in the league. Westbrook’s addition would directly improve this situation, and he has good relationships with the Kings’ management and players.”

“He shares a close bond with Sabonis, as they were teammates; he also played alongside Dennis Schröder. Furthermore, he has hometown connections with DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine from Los Angeles. The Kings’ new assistant GM BJ Armstrong has previously worked with Westbrook through his agency; Westbrook also holds great respect for the Kings’ new GM Scott Perry and head coach Doug Christie.”

It is reported that the league is closely monitoring whether this signing will be completed before the new season starts. Shams mentioned that if it doesn’t happen before the season, it might still occur during the season.

Westbrook’s former teammate Perkins also spoke about his impact on the show. “His core strength is always maintaining high energy, playing with passion, and giving his all every night, injecting vitality into the team. Indeed, Westbrook remains the player who brings energy to the squad, and over the years we have seen his growth, haven’t we? In recent seasons, he has evolved into a better playmaker. As Michael Malone said, at certain points last season, his defense showed clear improvement. So, what you get by signing Westbrook is clear—he never plays half-heartedly, and most importantly, he revitalizes the entire team.”

Will Westbrook sign with the Kings or head to China to play? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.