Russell Westbrook’s Quiet Leadership Is Making Noise in Sacramento’s Locker Room
When the Sacramento Kings hit the road to face the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, keep an eye on Russell Westbrook-not just for what he does with the ball, but for what he’s doing behind the scenes.
At 37 years old and in his 18th NBA season, Westbrook’s influence goes well beyond the box score. He’s not just bringing energy off the bench or pushing the pace in transition-he’s mentoring, guiding, and shaping the next generation of Kings players. And while that leadership might not always be visible to the average fan, it’s making a real impact inside the locker room.
Just ask rookie center Maxime Raynaud.
With Domantas Sabonis sidelined due to a partially torn meniscus, Raynaud has been thrust into a bigger role. And in Friday’s 128-119 loss to the Utah Jazz, the 22-year-old out of Stanford made the most of it-dropping a career-high 19 points in just 22 minutes, along with four rebounds and a block. But what stood out even more than the stat line was the story behind it.
Raynaud revealed that a halftime conversation with Westbrook helped set the tone for his breakout performance.
“I just talked to Russ at halftime and he was like, ‘Look, I’m going to try to find you,’” Raynaud said. “Try to work around the ball, try to roll hard, try and do the little things, and then eventually I got some success with it.”
That fourth quarter? Raynaud scored 16 of his 19 points, going 6-of-8 from the field. And while it might’ve looked like a young player finding his rhythm, it was also a veteran point guard quietly orchestrating from the background.
For Westbrook, that’s what leadership looks like at this stage of his career. He’s not chasing accolades-he already has plenty.
A nine-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA selection, former MVP, and the league’s all-time leader in triple-doubles (206), Westbrook has nothing left to prove. But what he can do is pass on the knowledge that made him one of the most dynamic guards of his generation.
“That’s a part of leadership,” Westbrook said. “Sometimes leadership is quiet.
It doesn’t have to be loud. If Max wouldn’t have told you, you would probably never know, but I think that’s the best part of leading.
Getting a chance to better see him have some confidence, make some shots, play well. I enjoy seeing other people do well, so I was happy to see him do well.”
That kind of mentorship is especially valuable for a Kings team that’s clearly in a developmental phase. With a 5-16 record, Sacramento isn’t chasing playoff seeding right now-they’re building.
And progress won’t just be judged by wins and losses, but by the growth of players like Keegan Murray, Nique Clifford, and Raynaud. It’s also a critical stretch for GM Scott Perry, who’s tasked with reshaping the roster for the future.
Westbrook’s presence gives that process a boost. He’s not just a future Hall of Famer playing out the twilight of his career-he’s actively helping younger guys learn how to play the right way.
Kings head coach Doug Christie sees it, and he’s all-in on what Westbrook brings to the table.
“That’s the part of Russell Westbrook that nobody gets to see,” Christie said. “He sat in with coach Mike Miller when he was talking to bigs about when they play together, understanding where to be and different calls.
When our point guard does that, it’s not just your coach talking. It’s also the person who’s on the floor educating said position, and his willingness to speak in the locker room is a positive thing.
There’s been so many positive things about Russell. I love him.
Sign me up.”
So while the Kings continue to search for consistency on the court, they’re finding something just as valuable off of it: a veteran leader who’s willing to invest in the future. And for a franchise looking to turn the corner, that kind of presence-steady, experienced, and quietly influential-might be exactly what they need.