Russell Westbrook’s future in Sacramento is still hanging out there, and Kings general manager Scott Perry isn’t shutting the door.
Three months after Westbrook last appeared on the Kings’ active roster, he remains a free agent. Perry made it clear Wednesday, before Sacramento headed to NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, that he still values the veteran guard. But he also pointed to the financial reality facing the team: the Kings can only offer a minimum contract.
“Russ has always been a favorite of mine,” he said. “Russell Westbrook probably outplayed a minimum contract, which is all we have right now, so that's really all I have to say about him right now.”
Westbrook’s season in Sacramento gave the Kings plenty to think about. He started 58 of his 64 games and posted 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.7 assists while playing on that minimum deal. Sacramento is looking for help in the backcourt behind rookie Darius Acuff Jr., but Perry suggested any return for Westbrook would come down to whether the money can be made to work.
That same financial squeeze has already shaped the rest of the offseason. Earlier this week, the Kings waived DeMar DeRozan, a move that saved $15.7 million of his $25.7 million salary after only $10 million was guaranteed.
Perry said the decision wasn’t about wanting to move on from DeRozan.
“I've been in the league 26 years, and he was one of my favorite players to work with,” Perry said. “We were trying to figure out ways we could keep him, but as we all know there is a financial component to this job.”
Sacramento has also brought back Precious Achiuwa on a two-year, $11.5 million deal. Even after that signing, the Kings are still over the salary cap, though they are now below the first apron. Perry praised Achiuwa for choosing to stay after the forward put up career bests of 10.1 points and 6.7 rebounds in 73 games last season.
Perry also touched on the situations involving Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis, both of whom have been part of offseason trade talk. He said he has stayed in regular contact with both players and expects them to be ready to go if no deal comes together.
Through all of it, Perry said the larger goal is still the same: building the kind of team he wants Sacramento to be. He wants the Kings to become the league’s hardest-working and hardest-playing group, with toughness, conditioning and defensive effort driving every roster call.
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